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ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop volleyball team overcame a 0-2 deficit to shock the High Point Panthers Friday night in a five-set thriller inside the Winthrop Coliseum.

The Eagles improved to 9-11 overall and 3-3 in the conference while High Point fell to 14-8 overall and 3-3 in the Big South.

“That was an exciting match,” head coach Julie Torbett said.  “When we got the third-set victory the team started to believe in themselves.  This should give the team confidence, High Point has had some big wins this year over Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.”

Hitting errors hurt the Eagles in the first set as Winthrop amassed nine errors to only nine kills as the Panthers took the first game 25-14.

Winthrop hit better in the second set, but still couldn't quell the High Point attack.  The Panthers hit .333 in the second set, winning 25-15.

In the third set the Eagles showed their resolve, overcoming a 17-12 deficit.  Winthrop used a 12-3 run to take a 24-20 lead before winning the third set 25-22.

The fourth set was a rollercoaster ride.  Winthrop carried its momentum briefly from the third set taking the first three points before High Point went on a 12-0 run to go up 12-3.  High Point went up as much as 19-9 before the Eagles started their comeback.  The Eagles went on an 8-2 run to get within 21-17, but the Panthers held strong and worked to reach match point at 24-21.  Winthrop was not ready for the match to end as it took the next five points to win the fourth set 26-24.

High Point got the early lead in the fifth set, jumping ahead 7-3.  Winthrop battled  back on a 6-2 run to tie the set at 9-9.  The two teams traded points before the Eagles were able to go up 14-12 and win the fifth set 15-13 and the match 3-2.

Stephanie Palmer recorded her fifth triple-double of the season with 11 kills, 26 assists and 12 digs.  Jennica Mullins and Rachel Lenz each finished with 10 kills.  Mullins also added six total blocks.  Monica Cardona led the team with 18 digs.

The Eagles will host the Campbell Camels Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. inside the Winthrop Coliseum.