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ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop volleyball team fell 3-1 to the UNCA Asheville Bulldogs Friday evening on the team's annual “Dig for the Cure” night.

The Eagles (7-11, 1-3) missed multiple opportunities in sets two and four to put away the Bulldogs (6-14, 2-2) that cost Winthrop a chance at victory.

Winthrop held a slim 7-5 lead early in the first set before going on a 5-0 run to open a 12-5 advantage.  The Eagles opened their lead to as much as 10 at 19-9 before winning the first set 25-16.

The second set was tight throughout with 14 tied scores and 10 lead changes, but the Eagles were able to pull ahead 24-21 with set point.  As has happened previously, the Eagles were unable to close out the Bulldogs and Asheville went on a 5-0 run to take the second set 26-24.

The Eagles led the third set early, but the Bulldogs controlled the majority of play later in the game.  Asheville used a late 4-1 run to open a 24-19 lead before taking the set 25-20.

Despite the positive play for Winthrop throughout much of the fourth set, the set came down to the last 10 points.  Winthrop had set point at 24-20, but couldn't put the bulldogs away.  Asheville tied the set at 24-24 and then Winthrop had two more set points, but couldn't get the set win before the Bulldogs grabbed the win 28-26 and the match 3-1.

Jennica Mullins led the Eagles with 14 kills and seven total blocks in the loss.  Rachel Lenz added 13 kills and Stephanie Palmer finished with 11.  Palmer recorded her fourth triple-double of the season with 29 assists and 15 digs.  Catherine Brusie also added 22 digs.

The Eagles will continue at home on Saturday at 2 p.m. when they host the Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb University.