COLUMBIA, SC – The Winthrop volleyball team was swept by the Alabama-Birmingham Blazers Friday in the first game of the Carolina Clash hosted by the University of South Carolina.

With the loss, the Eagles fell to 3-5 on the season while the Blazers improved to 5-4.

In the first set Alabama-Birmingham grabbed an early 10-6 edge, but the Eagles rallied in a big way.  Winthrop went on a 9-1 run to take a 15-11 lead.  The Blazers slowly chipped away at the Eagle lead and tied the opening set at 19-19 and then took six of the last nine points to take the first set 25-22.

Winthrop hurt itself in the second set, totaling 11 hitting errors to only eight kills for a -.067 hitting percentage.  The Blazers quickly jumped out to a 5-1 lead and slowly increased their lead over the Eagles, not allowing Winthrop any chance to come from behind.  Alabama-Birmingham took the second set 25-15.

In the third set, Winthrop quickly found itself down again, this time 6-0.  The Eagles responded, however, on a 7-2 run to get within 8-7, but had that quickly followed by a 4-0 Blazer run to put UAB back up 12-7.  The Eagles still had some fight and rallied to tie the third set at 15-15.  Winthrop trailed by only one at 20-19, but Alabama-Birmingham was able to close the set on a 5-1 run to take the third set 25-20 and the match 3-0.

Junior setter Stephanie Palmer led the Eagles with seven kills, 11 assists and 12 digs.  Sophomore Jennica Mullins also had seven kills to go along with five total blocks.

Winthrop struggled offensively, totaling only 30 kills and a .069 hitting percentage.  The team finished with 24 assists, seven service aces, 59 digs and seven total blocks.

“We are not doing anything well right now,” head coach Julie Torbett said.  “Stephanie Palmer is out best hitter and setter.  She is having to do everything and it's bound to take its toll on her.  Hopefully Catherine Brusie and Kristen Cruse will start playing in the back court.  Defense wins matches so the offense will come.”

The Eagles will return to the Carolina Clash on Saturday with two matches against in-state rivals.  Winthrop will face Clemson at 1:30 p.m. and the host Gamecocks at 7:30 p.m.