Box Score Box Score
ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop volleyball team won its first Big South match of the season against the Radford Highlanders in straight sets (25-20, 25-16, 25-23) on Saturday afternoon at the Winthrop Coliseum.
The Eagles improve their record on the year to 4-10 overall and 1-1 in the conference, while the Highlanders fall to 6-10 on the season and 0-2 in the Big South.
Winthrop was led offensively by outside hitter Kaley Viola as she posted 11 kills on the afternoon. Middle hitters Sara Felts and Becca Toor, and right side Brittany Blackman recorded eight kills apiece. Setter Kelsey Hall led the Eagles in digs for the second straight contest with 14, and dished out 36 assists. Libeiro Kelsey Harrison also added 12 digs for Winthrop.
“I thought today Brittany Blackman played exceptionally well,” head coach Sally Polhamus said.
In the first set, Radford scored the first three points of the set, but the Eagles offense regrouped and took the lead at the 6-5 mark and never lost it. Winthrop would take the set 25-20. The Eagles finished the set with 15 kills and a .364 hitting percentage.
“Our passing was great today,” Polhamus said. “We were consistent throughout the match.”
The second set saw both teams trade points early until the Highlanders took an 11-10 lead. Winthrop's offense responded by finding some gaps in the Radford defense to go on an 11-0 run. The Eagles controlled the rest of the set, taking it 25-16. Winthrop again posted a high hitting percentage of .342.
In the final set, the Eagles were first to jump out to an early lead, as they took a commanding 10-3 lead. Radford inched its way back and tied the set at the 23-23 mark. A kill from sophomore outside hitter Carolyn Weed and a Radford attacking error gave Winthrop the 25-23 set win.
“Rebounding is key for us,” Polhamus said. “Today we rebounded great.”
The Eagles will be back on the floor on Tuesday, Sept 28 as they travel to North Charleston, SC to take on Big South foe Charleston Southern. The match against the Buccaneers is set for 6 p.m. Radford plays host to UNC Asheville on Friday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.
