ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop volleyball team picked up a four-set victory Friday evening over the Presbyterian College Blue Hose in both team's regular-season finale.

Prior to the contest the Eagles recognized their two senior student-athletes, Jackie Landers and Irene Ojukwu.

With the conference season coming to a close for all teams on Saturday, the Eagles will have to wait until Sunday to find out their place in the upcoming Big South Tournament.  Regardless of seed Winthrop will play its quarterfinal match on Thursday on the campus of Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC.

Winthrop (17-12, 7-7 Big South) had a strong showing in the first set, starting with an early 5-1 lead over the Blue Hose (9-21, 7-7 Big South).  Winthrop continued to lead comfortably at 13-7, causing Presbyterian to take a timeout.  Out of the break the Blue Hose were able to get within two at 16-14, but no closer.  The Eagles used a 7-1 run to open 23-15 lead en route to taking the first set 25-19.

Again in the second set Winthrop jumped out to 5-1 lead, this time Presbyterian battled back to tie the set at 6-6.  The Eagles responded with their own 6-1 run, taking a 12-7 advantage.  After a Blue Hose timeout, Winthrop continued its pressure and increased its lead to 17-7.  Presbyterian took another timeout, but to no avail as the Eagles went on to take the second set 25-17. 

The third set was a much more competitive back-and-forth battle with 12 tied scores and four lead changes.  Neither team amassed more than a three-point edge.  Presbyterian edged out by two at 22-20, forcing Winthrop into a timeout.  Out of the break the Eagles came back to tie the set at 22-22.  After the two teams traded points, Presbyterian was able to take the set 25-23 off a Winthrop service error and a block.

The fourth set was another good battle, but Winthrop was able to lead through the majority.  After an early 4-4 tie, the Eagles went on a 4-0 spurt to go up 8-4.  Winthrop continued to slowly increase its lead and hit its largest lead of the set at 20-14, forcing Presbyterian into a timeout.  A 6-2 run followed for the Blue Hose, cutting the Winthrop lead down to two.  Winthrop was able to weather the Blue Hose attack to secure the 25-20, fourth-set victory. 

Senior Jackie Landers and sophomore Rachel Lenz each led all hitters with 16 kills.  Landers added eight digs to the victory while Lenz finished with seven total blocks.  Fellow senior Irene Ojukwu finished with 13 kills.  Jessie Vicic notched her 14^th double-double of the season with 52 assists and 10 digs.  Maria Volstad led the Eagles with 18 digs.