CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb volleyball team secured its third win in a row after taking down Queens University of Charlotte in a four-set nail-biter on Tuesday, September 19 in the final game of the 'Dawgs non-conference schedule. 
 
Three Runnin' Bulldogs landed in double-digit kills including freshman outside hitter Jenna Otts, junior middle blocker Autumn Flowers, and freshman outside hitter Madison Smith with 15, 13, and 12. Flowers is now hitting .291 on the season as well, a percentage in the top five of the Big South currently. Smith also added two service aces at the line to bump her season total to 26, leading the Big South.
 
Sophomore libero Sophia Kotsovolos posted a 31-dig performance while sophomore setter Paige Bernstein logged another double-double line with 24 assists and 13 digs. 
 
"It was a tough match tonight," said head coach Eric Plunkett. "Their attackers really challenged our hands tonight and it took us some time to get our block in the right place. Once we did that, we were able to get into a good transition offense."
 
The 'Dawgs never trailed in the first set claiming a close 25-23 win, with the two sides tying the score five times. GWU (6-6) hit an impressive .302 to begin the match in set one. The Royals cast a 6-1 run in set two that gave them a 14-8 lead early, but Gardner-Webb could not cut into the difference with Queens (3-9) walking away with the 25-17 win. 
 
The third set began a back-and-forth battle until both sides were at 14-14. A kill by freshman middle Paige Hoeder and two errors on the Royals allowed the 'Dawgs to escape in front 17-14. GWU wouldn't trail again the rest of the set securing the 25-21 point. Set four, the Runnin' Bulldogs jumped out to a 6-2 lead before Queens erupted moments later with five straight points to take the lead at 13-11. The 'Dawgs answered back with five of their own to jump in front before Queens would tie it back at 16-16. After trading a few shots, Gardner-Webb cracked off five more points at 23-19, setting them up for a 25-20 final set.
 
"There were a lot of growing pains tonight but I think we learned a bunch as a team", said Plunkett. "Good to get a win as we enter a tough Big South conference schedule."
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs return home to face Winthrop University, on Sep. 23 at 4:00 p.m. for their Big South opener.