Box Score

ROCK HILL, SC – The #4 Winthrop volleyball team defeated the #5 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in straight sets (25-17, 25-22, 25-23) to advance to the semifinals in the 2010 Big South Championships Thursday night at Winthrop Coliseum.

The Eagles (14-15) have now won nine straight sets, and look to continue the streak against top-seeded Liberty.

Winthrop finished the night with 39 kills, 48 digs and a .158 attacking percentage. The all-around effort by the Eagles was capped off tonight by senior outside hitter Kaley Viola who finished with 10 kills. Junior middle hitter Becca Toor ended with 9 and senior middle hitter Sara Felts totaled eight. Winthrop was also well-rounded defensively as Viola also led in the digs category with nine. Senior setter Kelsey Hall, sophomore defensive specialist Kristin Cruse and freshman defensive specialist Carly DeBruhl all added seven digs. Hall also dished out 37 assists.

“It was an all-around team effort out there tonight,” head coach Sally Polhamus said. “The outside hitter came through for us as well.”

The first set started well for the Eagles as they jumped out to a quick 8-3 lead. Winthrop continued the pressure throughout and closed the set at 25-17. Viola finished the set with four kills and an attacking percentage of .571. Toor matched Viola's total of kills with four and closed out the set with a .429 attacking percentage. As a team, the Eagles finished with 20 digs.

In the second set, the Eagles got another quick lead. Winthrop went up 2-1 and continued to maintain its lead through the entire set. Winthrop took the set 25-22, despite better offensive play from the Chanticleers. Felts led the Eagles in the set with five kills. Coastal (14-18) gave Winthrop an edge by committing seven service errors.

“Last time we played Coastal, they served well on us,” Polhamus said. “We were able to control that tonight.”

Winthrop stormed out to take a lead after the intermission to the 9-3 mark. Coastal Carolina made a charge to bring the set within one at the 11-10 mark. The Eagles then went on a run to go up by five at 20-15. The Chanticleers stayed alive late in the set, bringing the score within one at 24-23. A kill from Viola gave Winthrop the set and the match. The Eagles finished the set with 13 kills.

“We finished well tonight.” Polhamus said.

The win moves the Eagles into the second round where they will square off against the top-seeded Liberty Flames on Friday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. They will be the second of two matches on Friday as second-seeded High Point takes on tournament surprise #6 Charleston Southern in the first match. That match-up is set for 4:30 p.m.