Winthrop Photos

ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop volleyball team won the 2013 Winthrop Classic Saturday, sweeping Fordham and Savannah State on the final day of the tournament.

Rachel Lenz was voted as the tournament MVP and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by teammates Irene Ojukwu and Maria Volstad.

"Overall I continue to be pleased with our play," head coach Bruce Atkinson said.  "Sometimes we're like a rollercoaster, but Rachel and Irene were able to stay aggressive through both matches."

Against Savannah State (0-3), Winthrop stifled the offense of the Tigers in the first set never allowing Savannah State to score more than two points in a row.  The Eagles took the first set 25-12.

Winthrop (3-0) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second set, but Savannah State battled back on a 6-0 run to take a 6-3 edge.  The Tigers continued to lead at 8-6 before the Eagles went on a 19-5 run over the remainder of the set to take the second set 25-13.

The Eagles continued the defensive pressure on the Tigers in the third set, forcing them into a -.174 hitting percentage with only three kills.  Winthrop took the final set 25-17.

Senior Irene Ojukwu came up just short of a double-double as she recorded nine kills and 11 digs.  Freshman Brianna Gray and senior Jackie Landers each totaled nine kills as well.  Junior Jessie Vicic recorded 36 assists.

In the first game of the day against Fordam (1-2), Winthrop took the first set 25-17.  The Eagles used a 7-0 run to turn a one-point deficit into an 11-5 lead.  Fordham stayed within striking distance and trailed 16-12, but the Eagles rattled off a 4-0 run to take a commanding 20-12 lead en route to the first-set victory.

The Eagles took the early lead in the second set at 6-3 and slowly increased it to as much as 16-10.  Fordham battled back to get within 23-20, forcing Winthrop into a timeout.  Out of the break, the Eagles grabbed the final two points to take the second set 25-20.

In the third set the Eagles again grabbed an early lead only to see Fordham battles its way back into the set.  The two teams were tied 18-18 before Winthrop went on a 5-1 run to grab a 23-19 edge.  Fordham got back within two at 24-22 but the Eagles took the next point and the match 3-0.

Senior Irene Ojuwku and junior Alina Sopizhuk each finished with 10 kills while sophomore Rachel Lenz added nine.  Junior Jessie Vicic totaled 37 assists.

Winthrop will round out its four-game home stand on Tuesday when the Eagles host North Carolina A&T at 7 p.m.

All-Tournament Team
Lisa Hipp - Fordham
Alexis Washington - Savannah State
Cody Dodd - Tennessee Tech.
Courtney Smith - Tennessee Tech.
Irene Ojukwu - Winthrop
Maria Volstad - Winthrop
MVP - Rachel Lenz - Winthrop