Box Score
ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop volleyball team had its worst offensive performance of the season Friday as the Eagles dropped their conference opener 3-1 to the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers inside the Winthrop Coliseum.
Winthrop's record dropped to 9-5 overall and 0-1 in the Big South with the loss while Coastal Carolina improved to 8-6 overall and 1-0 in the conference.
The first set was a back-and-forth battle. Winthrop took the early 5-3 lead only to have Coastal Carolina come back and grab a 10-7 edge. The Eagles fought back to tie the set at 10-10 and again at 11-11, but that was the last tie the Eagles saw. Winthrop stayed within striking distance but couldn't gain enough momentum to overtake the Chanticleers as they took the first set 25-21.
Coastal Carolina dominated the second set. After taking a 6-1 lead to star t the set the Chanticleers never looked back. Winthrop was down nine at 20-11 and got back within six at 20-14, but Coastal closed the second set on a 5-0 run, winning 25-14.
After a close opening to the third set the Chanticleers slowly pulled away from the Eagles. Coastal Carolina led by four over the Eagles at 22-18 and looked primed to sweep the match, but Winthrop didn't go quietly. The Eagles got within two at 23-21 but the Chanticleers took the next and had match point. Winthrop fought off two match points and took five straight to win the third set 26-24 to extend the match.
Winthrop's momentum extended into the beginning of the fourth set as the Eagles jumped out to a 5-1 lead. Coastal Carolina battled back to tie the set at 10-10 and took its first lead at 16-15. Winthrop couldn't regain its offensive power as the Chanticleers took the fourth set 25-20 and the match 3-0.
Alina Sopizhuk led the Eagles with 13 kills while Rachel Lenz and Irene Ojuwku each added 10. Jessie Vicic recorded a double-double with 39 assists and 13 digs. Coastal Carolina was led by Gabriella Horbath who led all attackers with 17 kills.
The Eagles round out their five-match home stand Saturday at 2 p.m. against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers.
