DELAND, Fla. ? The Stetson volleyball squad completed a stellar opening weekend of A-Sun play with a 3-0 (30-25, 30-20, 30-23) sweep over Gardner-Webb on Saturday at the Edmunds Center.

“It really is big for us to start 2-0 on opening weekend,” said head coach Cheryl Carlson.  “Once again everybody really played well.”

Sophomore Laura Boyd came up big for the Hatters with 10 kills, a .409 attack percentage and three block assists.  Karla Readshaw remained solid as the senior setter recorded her ninth double-double this season with 29 assists, 10 digs and five critical kills while Rebecca Orzechowicz pitched in with a team-high 12 kills.

Stetson (7-8, 2-0 A-Sun) came out flat in game one falling behind 8-3, but they did not quit slowly working its way back into the set.  The Hatters took their first lead at 17-16 on a kill from Boyd and never trailed again in the game.  A 3-0 run culminated by a pair of GWU attack errors sealed game one for Stetson.

The Hatters used the momentum they gained from the second half of the first game and brought it over to game two.  Ashley Pridgeon did her best to keep the Bulldogs in the game with nine kills, but the Hatters used a .324 attack percentage and a 6-0 run to finish off the game.

In the final game, Stetson came out of intermission strong jumping out to a 4-0 advantage.  Gardner-Webb fought back and made it a game, but committed nine attack errors in the process.  A trio of Hatters notched four kills in the set including Boyd, Orzechowicz and Gina Iacona as Stetson improved to 2-0 in conference play for the first time since 2002.

Gardner-Webb (8-9, 0-2 A-Sun) was paced by Pridgeon's double-double (14 kills and 11 digs) while Regina Feagin dished out a match-high 41 assists and Audra Harrison led all players with 18 digs.

Stetson will be back in action when they host A-Sun newcomer Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 3:30 p.m.