SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Gardner-Webb volleyball (13-11, 7-5) defeated USC Upstate (12-12, 5-7), in a four-set battle to split the season series and tie the school record for Big South conference wins in a season, Friday, November 3.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs return to the floor tomorrow Saturday, November 4 at 4:00 p.m. with another road match at the Bulldogs of UNC Asheville. A win tomorrow over UNC Asheville will give Gardner-Webb its first ticket punched to the Big South Tournament semifinals in program history. 
 
Freshman outside hitter Jenna Otts led the 'Dawgs at the pin with 15 kills, 15 points, and a .294 hitting percentage. Freshman outside hitter Madison Smith recorded her eighth double-double of her career while managing 12 kills and 10 digs. 
 
Sophomore setter Paige Bernstein picked up her fifth double-double of the season, dishing out 20 assists and 12 digs. Sophomore setter Morgan Hornaday also dished out 16 assists while sophomore libero Sophia Kotsovolos compiled 18 digs on the defensive side. Kotsovolos remains first in the Big South in digs (445) and 29th in Division I. At the service line, freshman libero Molly Littlefield served up four aces to boost the 'Dawgs.
 
"I am extremely proud of our team's steadiness tonight" said head coach Eric Plunkett. "Upstate came out hot and we weathered that storm. We were able to stay consistent with our game plan and it was awesome to see our players be strong, trust our game plan, and just compete every point."
 
Set one opened with the Spartans in front at several points including a five-point lead at 11-6. Four points from the 'Dawgs pulled GWU closer at 11-10 with both sides trading points until the Runnin' Bulldogs stepped in front at 16-15. This lead stayed with Gardner-Webb helping them take a one-set lead at 25-21. The second set saw Upstate jump in front early with a 5-1 lead until the 'Dawgs shrunk the lead to one at 6-5. A late surge by GWU tied the score at 18-18 and 19-19, but the 'Dawgs could not take over, dropping the set 25-19. 
 
The third set started well for Gardner-Webb, opening up with a 13-9 advantage and a 15-11 margin. The Spartans kept attacking the Runnin' Bulldogs lead until finally tying the score at 19-19. Four straight points for GWU, including two blocks from juniors Lovie Wallace and Avery Cole, paved the path for the 'Dawgs to win the third set 25-21. Going into set four, the Spartans turned up the heat, holding the score close at 11-10 with the 'Dawgs in the lead. At 11-10, Gardner-Webb fired off six points, including three of Littlefield's aces to help jump ahead at 17-10. The Spartans could not respond to the 'Dawgs attack, falling 25-20 and giving GWU a 3-1 victory.
 
"That's a very strong Upstate team with a great crowd behind them, so it was awesome to see our team dialed in and execute at a high level," said Plunkett. "We will look to continue that consistency and execution tomorrow at Asheville."