Box Score Box Score
LYNCHBURG, VA – The Winthrop volleyball team picked up its third consecutive conference win on Friday evening as it defeated the Liberty Flames 3-1 (28-26,17-25,28-26,26-24) at the Vines Center.
The win improves the Eagles record to 6-10 overall and 3-1 in conference play. The Flames drop to12-7 on the season and 3-1 in the Big South.
“We finished tonight,” said head coach Sally Polhamus. “Our seniors have never won in this building and to get a win here is great.”
Winthrop was led offensively by senior outside hitter Kaley Viola with 16 kills. Senior middle hitter Sara Felts added 11, while junior middle hitter Becca Toor found herself in double-digits with 10. Freshman setter Stephanie Palmer finished the night with a .667 attacking percentage. Four Eagle players posted double-digit digs as senior libeiro Kelsey Harrison paced the Eagles with 19. Viola and sophomore defensive specialist Kristin Cruse each added 12 digs, while senior setter Kelsey Hall finished with 14 digs and 50 assists.
Liberty took a convincing lead in the first set, but Winthrop stormed back and tied the set at 19-19. The Flames scored the next four points, but the Eagles matched Liberty's run with a run of their own, tying the match at 24-24. The two teams traded points until Flames attacker Karyl Bacon put the ball into the net as Winthrop took the set 28-26.
The second set was dominated by Liberty as it never trailed in the set. The Flames finished the set with 20 kills and a .417 attacking percentage, compared to the Eagles nine kills and .222 hitting percentage.
In the third set, Winthrop saw a deficit late at 21-16. The Eagles then charged back going on an 8-3 run, forcing a tie at 24-24. Both teams continued to trade points until two attacking errors by Liberty's Erica Manor gave the Eagles the come-from-behind set win at 28-26. Winthrop finished the set with 17 kills and 26 digs. Harrison had nine digs in the set to lead the Eagles.
The fourth set saw the teams swap points all the way to the 24-24 mark. Viola record back-to-back kills and gave the Eagles the match victory. Winthrop finished the set with 19 kills and a .342 attacking percentage.
Bacon led the Flames offensively with 20 kills, while Jade Craycraft dished out 56 assists. Kelly Haseman also posted a team-high 17 digs.
“Karyl Bacon is an outstanding player,” Polhamus added. “She is an example of the players we'll be facing all year in the conference.”
The Eagles will be back in action Tuesday, Oct. 5 when they take on Big South rival Coastal Carolina at the Winthrop Coliseum. Game time is set for 6 p.m. Liberty gets back on the court on Saturday, Oct. 2 as it hosts Charleston Southern at 2 p.m.
