Box Score

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ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop volleyball team dropped a 3-2 conference decision to Coastal Carolina Friday inside the Winthrop Coliseum.

Winthrop fell to 11-14 overall and 5-5 in the conference while Coastal improved to 9-12 overall and 7-3 in the Big South.

After a close opening of the first set Coastal used an 8-1 run to open a 20-11 advantage.  Winthrop fought back to get within 23-20, but couldn't get any closer as the Chanticleers took the first set 25-20.

Winthrop dominated the second set from the onset.  The Eagles jumped out to an 8-3 lead, forcing Coastal in a timeout and the Chanticleers were again forced to use a timeout at 13-6.  The Chanticleers were able to get only as close as 18-15 before the Eagles took the set 25-17.

The third set was a back-and-forth battle with nine tied scores and neither team holding more than a three-point edge.  Coastal led 12-9 but the Eagles were able to battle back and take a 15-14 lead and then didn't relinquish it.  Winthrop took the third set 25-22.

Coastal got off to a big lead in the fourth set, jumping out to a 10-3 advantage.  Winthrop slowly cut down the Chanticleer lead, coming all the way back to eventually tie the set at 23-23, but couldn't complete the big comeback.  Coastal got the final two points of the set to win 25-23 and force a decisive fifth set.

The Chanticleers again got off to a strong start in the fifth set and Winthrop had another run in it, but couldn't complete the comeback as Coastal took the fifth set 15-12 and the match 3-1.

Rachel Lenz led the Eagles with 17 kills while Stephanie Palmer recorded her seventh triple-double of the season with 10 kills, 18 digs and 34 assists.  Carolyn Weed had a strong outing at the net with seven kills and seven blocks.

The Eagles will continue at home on Saturday at 2 p.m. against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers.  The game will senior day for seniors Kristin Cruse and Carolyn Weed.