ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop volleyball team won its home opener Tuesday, 3-0 (25-23, 27-25, 25-23) over Southern Conference opponent Appalachian State University.

The Eagles improved to 3-1 on the season while the Mountaineers fell to 0-4.  The Eagles improved to only 3-7 against Appalachian State inside the Winthrop Coliseum and 6-18 all-time.

Appalachian State came out strong to start the first set, grabbing the early lead from the Eagles, 12-9.  The Mountaineers extended their lead to 16-12, forcing head coach Julie Torbett into a timeout.  Following the break, the Eagles went on a 9-3 run to take a 21-19 lead.  After Appalachian squared the set again at 21-21, Winthrop took four of the final six points of the set to take the first 25-23.

The Eagles had a roller coaster of a second set.  Winthrop used a 7-0 run early in the set to open an 11-3 lead and continued to lead at 14-6, forcing the Mountaineers to take a timeout.  The break worked as Appalachian State slowly worked its way back into the set, fighting all the way back to tie the set at 23-23 and earning a set point at 24-23.  Winthrop fought off that set point and another at 25-24.  Junior Stephanie Palmer and freshman Amy Zimmer combined for a huge block to give Winthrop a 26-25 lead before senior Carolyn Weed recorded a big kill to give the Eagles the 27-25 second-set victory.

“We're a young team and we have to realize that teams can come back on us,” head coach Julie Torbett said.  “The team needs to understand that we can't drop a set in these tough games.”

The third set was tight to begin, but the Eagles were able to use an 11-2 run to open an 18-10 lead.  The Mountaineers again fought back and got within 21-17.  Winthrop had match point at 24-19, but Appalachian State earned four-straight points to get within 24-23, but the Eagles were able to hold on for the 25-23, third-set victory.

Junior Stephanie Palmer led the Eagles with nine kills and 22 assists.  Senior Carolyn Weed also added eight kills.  Freshman Monica Cardona led the team with 16 digs.  Freshman Amy Zimmer had a solid night at the net, recording seven block assists while the team recorded 11 total team blocks.

“Amy (Zimmer) had a great game for a freshman,” Torbett said.  “Jennica (Mullins) struggled through the first two sets, but had a solid third to help us pull out the victory.”

The Eagles will next take part in the Wake Forest Invitational Friday and Saturday.  Winthrop will face Davidson at 4:30 p.m. Friday with matches against UNC Wilmington and Wake Forest at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. respectively Saturday.