Box Score
CLINTON, SC – Junior setter Jessie Vicic broke the Big South Conference record for assists in a season Thursday, but the Winthrop volleyball team fell in three sets to the High Point Panthers in the quarterfinals of the Big South Tournament.
Vicic finished with 26 assists Thursday which gave her 1,355 for the season, breaking the previous conference record of 1,349 of High Point's Maddie Simpson in 2010.
"While it's difficult to end the season on a loss, Jessie had a very nice season," head coach Bruce Atkinson said. "It's quite an accomplishment to break any conference record."
Sophomore Rachel Lenz led the Eagles with nine kills. Freshman Brianna Gray and senior Irene Ojukwu each tallied six kills Thursday. Freshman Maria Volstad led Winthrop with 10 digs.
Winthrop dug itself a big hole to start the first set, falling behind 7-0 before taking a timeout. After trailing 10-1, the Eagles rallied for a 7-1 run to cut the High Point lead to 11-8. The Panthers slowly increased their lead back to seven at 20-13, but Winthrop again responded. This time the Eagles went on a 9-1 run to take their first lead of the set at 22-21. Winthrop was unable to continue its momentum as High Point closed the set on a 4-1 run, winning the first set 25-23.
The Eagles again struggled early in the second set. After Winthrop led 3-2, High Point went on a 7-1 run to open a 9-4 advantage. The Eagles continued to trail by five at 13-8, but the Panthers then increased their lead to 17-9, forcing Winthrop to take a timeout. The break didn't help the Eagles as High Point closed the second set on an 8-4 run, winning 25-13.
In the third set Winthrop was able to gain some momentum early. The Eagles took a 4-2 advantage, forcing High Point into a timeout. Winthrop continued to maintain a slim lead at 12-10 before High Point rattled off a 7-1 run to take a 17-13 edge. Winthrop stalled the Panther rally only briefly as High Point was able to continue forward for a 25-18 victory.
Winthrop finished the 2013 season with a 17-13 record while High Point improved to 16-14. The Panthers advanced to play the winner of the Coastal Carolina and Presbyterian night cap.
