BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University volleyball team scored an exciting five set win on Tuesday night at Paul Porter Arena, bouncing back from an opening set defeat and multiple fifth set deficits to pick up a Big South Conference victory

The Runnin' Bulldogs got off to a rough start at home on Tuesday, falling 25-17 in the opening set. UNC Asheville turned what was an 8-7 game eventually into a an 18-10 lead they wouldn't look back from. Milla Lugo started strong individually for GWU despite the setback, placing two early kills to help keep the Runnin' Bulldogs on track. UNC Asheville ended the frame with two of the last four points to win 25-17

GWU bounced back to win both the second and third sets, with the second being an impressive 25-13 win to even the match at 1-1. The Runnin' Bulldogs exploded out of the gate with one of the best sequences of the entire season, running out to a 15-3 lead. The Red and Black were largely aided by some sloppy play from UNC Asheville, with seven of the first 15 points via attack error. One last 5-0 spurt put things away for good, helped on by four straight kills from redshirt sophomore outside hitter Cayton White.

The third proved to be closer but again the Runnin' Bulldogs grabbed a set win, finishing a 25-22 win and a 2-1 lead. Part of what turned into a career night, Alivia Rew sent back two blocks in quick order in the middle of the set, pushing GWU to a 14-8 lead. Rew kept on late in the stanza, connecting on a kill to put the Red and Black on set point, just ahead of Samia Sayd who finished off the set win.

After a couple close sets and one dominating win for Gardner-Webb, it was time for UNC Asheville to win a dominating set of their own. In the fourth, the visitors started strong in route to a 25-15 win, and a 2-2 tie in the match. The Bulldogs took command behind a pair of 5-0 runs, the latter giving UNC Asheville a 20-10 advantage. GWU scrapped back a couple late points, but were unable to prevent a fifth set.

In the fifth, Gardner-Webb was forced to rally and would in a big way. Down 6-2, then 7-4, then 10-9. Rew once again showed up in a big way, connecting on two late kills, while the Runnin' Bulldogs also benefited from three attack errors in a row from UNC Asheville. After a bad set that was jump-started by a Morgan Hornaday serve, Gardner-Webb scored a 15-12 set win and a 3-2 match win.

Leaders for Gardner-Webb include White with 13 kills, Rew with 13 blocks, sophomore libero Molly Littlefield with another 20 dig performance and five assists, Rebecca Siedenburg with 16 digs and 20 assists, and Hornaday with 14 assists and 7 digs

After tonight's exciting win, GWU Volleyball heads back on the road. The Runnin' Bulldogs face Radford and High Point away from home, next Friday and Saturday, November 1st and 2nd.