BOILING SPRINGS, NC – Three Eagles recorded double-digit kills Saturday as the Winthrop volleyball team snapped a three-match losing skid, downing the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs 3-0 on the road.

Winthrop improved to 11-8 overall and 2-3 in the conference with the victory while Gardner-Webb fell to 11-11 overall and 3-2 in the Big South.

The Eagles and Bulldogs were even through the first 28 points of the first set.  Winthrop then came on strong in the end of the set, going on an 11-4 run to close the set to win 25-18.

The second set was close throughout.  Gardner-Webb led 4-1 early, but afterwards no team was able to gain more than a two-point edge before the Eagles grabbed a 24-21 lead.  Gardner-Webb was able to fight off two set points before Winthrop was finally able to put the set away.

The third set proved to be a thrilling end to the match.  Winthrop came out very strong, jumping out to as much as an eight-point advantage at 14-6.  Gardner-Webb started to slowly chip away at the Eagle lead, cutting it to two at 18-16.  Winthrop was able to hold off the Bulldogs and reached match point at 24-21.  Gardner-Webb took three straight points to tie the set at 24-24.  The two teams then traded points with each having an opportunity to close the set, but were unable to do so.  The teams were tied at 32-32 before the Eagles grabbed the final two points, winning the third set 34-32 and the match 3-0.

Irene Ojukwu led all hitters with 17 kills and recorded a double-double by adding 14 digs.  Alina Sopizhuk tallied 16 kills while Rachel Lenz finished with 11.  Jessie Vicic finished with 45 assists.

Winthrop will have another week off before its next road game at High Point on Friday, October 18 at 7 p.m.