Friday, September 4
BOILING SPRINGS, NC
10 AM
Gardner-Webb University
3-2,0-0Big South
3
vs
2
UNC Wilmington
3-3,0-0CAA
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNCW | 25 | 21 | 25 | 14 | 10 | 2 |
| Gardner-Webb | 18 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 15 | 3 |
Gardner-Webb Volleyball Rallies Past UNCW in Five-Set Thriller
September 04, 2026 | Volleyball
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.- The Gardner-Webb womens volleyball team battled back from an early deficit to defeat UNC Wilmington, 3-2, Friday morning at Paul Porter Arena, earning a thrilling five-set victory.
The Runnin' Bulldogs dropped the opening set, 25-18 before answering with a 25-21 victory in the second. UNCW would respond by winning the third set, 25-23 to reclaim the advantage. Gardner-Webb however, would respond by dominating the fourth set, winning 25-14, and forcing a decisive fifth set. The Runnin' Bulldogs would complete the comeback winning the fifth set by a score of 15-10 in the final set.
With the victory, Gardner-Webb improves to 3-2 on the season, while UNCW falls to 2-3.
Peyton Slone led the Runnin' Bulldogs offensively recording a match high 21 kills on 46 attacks while hitting .304. Slone also added four digs and finished with a team best 21.5 points. Sarina Galyean provided another strong offensive performance, recording 12 kills while hitting an impressive .355. Nicole Osborne added 10 kills and 19 digs while contributing 13.0 points. The attack was balanced throughout for Gardner-Webb as Alexis Maesch, Parker LaFontaine and Gracyn Sanders each added five kills.
Olivia Lefebvre guided the Runnin' Bulldogs offense with 30 assists while Aileina Manaois added 14 assist. Lefebvre also contributed six digs.
After trailing twice in the match Gardner-Webb saved its best volleyball for the last two sets. The Runnin' Bulldogs limited UNCW to a .065 hitting percentage in the fourth set before holding the Seahawks to a .172 mark in the decisive fifth set. Gardner-Webb's ability to respond after each setback proved to be the difference as they would win the final two sets and secure their third victory of the season.
The Runnin' Bulldogs return to action tommorow at 10 a.m. to take on Alabama State at Paul Porter Arena.
The Runnin' Bulldogs dropped the opening set, 25-18 before answering with a 25-21 victory in the second. UNCW would respond by winning the third set, 25-23 to reclaim the advantage. Gardner-Webb however, would respond by dominating the fourth set, winning 25-14, and forcing a decisive fifth set. The Runnin' Bulldogs would complete the comeback winning the fifth set by a score of 15-10 in the final set.
With the victory, Gardner-Webb improves to 3-2 on the season, while UNCW falls to 2-3.
Peyton Slone led the Runnin' Bulldogs offensively recording a match high 21 kills on 46 attacks while hitting .304. Slone also added four digs and finished with a team best 21.5 points. Sarina Galyean provided another strong offensive performance, recording 12 kills while hitting an impressive .355. Nicole Osborne added 10 kills and 19 digs while contributing 13.0 points. The attack was balanced throughout for Gardner-Webb as Alexis Maesch, Parker LaFontaine and Gracyn Sanders each added five kills.
Olivia Lefebvre guided the Runnin' Bulldogs offense with 30 assists while Aileina Manaois added 14 assist. Lefebvre also contributed six digs.
After trailing twice in the match Gardner-Webb saved its best volleyball for the last two sets. The Runnin' Bulldogs limited UNCW to a .065 hitting percentage in the fourth set before holding the Seahawks to a .172 mark in the decisive fifth set. Gardner-Webb's ability to respond after each setback proved to be the difference as they would win the final two sets and secure their third victory of the season.
The Runnin' Bulldogs return to action tommorow at 10 a.m. to take on Alabama State at Paul Porter Arena.
Players Mentioned
RS
/ Volleyball
MB/RS
/ Volleyball
S/L
/ Volleyball
RS
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ VolleyballTeam Stats
UNCW
GW
Kills
50
60
Errors
18
21
Attempts
145
155
Hitting %
.221
.252
Points
73.0
79.0
Assists
49
53
Aces
11
15
Blocks
12
4
Game Leaders
Kills
21
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
12
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
10
Aces
3
Blocks
0
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
0
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