BUIES CREEK – Over two and a half hours after it started, the Camels closed out a thrilling five-set victory over Gardner-Webb. The match was Campbell's first to go beyond three sets this season.
 
The victory moves Campbell to 2-2 on the season, while GWU falls to 1-4 with the loss.
 
The first set was a marathon in itself, with Gardner-Webb taking it 34-32. The set was the highest scoring set Campbell has played since transitioning to 25-point rally scoring in 2008, and the fourth-longest set played in the country this season. Both teams had numerous set points, before GWU collected back-to-back kills to finally earn a two-point advantage and go up 1-0 in the match.
 
Campbell bounced back in a big way, rolling to a 25-14 second set. Campbell held GWU to hitting .030 in the frame as Maja Daca got hot and had five kills in the second.
 
The third set again went beyond the 25-point threshold with the home team coming out on top this time, winning 27-25. Hannah Pattie got the job done this time with a service ace to secure the set.
 
Campbell wasn't able to seal the deal in the third, another nailbiter that GWU claimed 25-22.
 
CU went ahead early in the fifth, but relinquished the lead as it stayed a one-point match from 6-5 until 14-13. Campbell benefited from a Runnin' Bulldog attack error on match point to put an end to the match and give Campbell the win.
 
Maja Daca notched season-bests with 16 kills and 10 digs for her first double-double performance. Bella Illig tallied 33 digs, a season-best. Hannah Pattie came up with 29 assists, also a season-high. Lauren Wheeler notched 20 assists as a career-best.
 
Aley Clent and Victoria Tupy each logged double-figure kills with 12 and 11, respectively, and were both just shy of career highs.
 
The Camels are back in action tomorrow to face Norfolk State at 1pm and UNCG at 6:30. Both matches will be streamed on FloSports.