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ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop volleyball team battled for a hard-fought four-set victory Saturday afternoon over the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs in Big South Conference action.

Winthrop improved to 14-7 overall and 4-1 in the Big South with the victory while Gardner-Webb fell to 9-14 overall and 2-3 in the conference.

The Eagles had a strong start to the opening set, jumping out to a 5-0 lead only to have Gardner-Webb return a 5-0 run after a called timeout.  The teams then traded points with neither able to amass more than a two-point edge before the Eagles pulled away slightly at 21-17.  The Bulldogs grabbed the next three points to get within 21-20 but couldn't get closer as the Eagles took the first set 25-22.

The two sides were even through the first 16 points of the second set before Gardner-Webb went on a 6-1 run, opening a 14-9 edge and forcing Winthrop to take a timeout.  The timeout didn't immediately help as the Bulldogs increased their lead to six at 20-14, but Winthrop came charging back on an 8-2 run to tie the set at 22-22.  A service error by the Eagles and a service ace from the Bulldogs gave Gardner-Webb set point.  Winthrop was able to fight off one set point but couldn't accomplish any more as Gardner-Webb took the second set 25-23.

Winthrop had another strong start to the third set, grabbing a 7-1 lead, forcing Gardner-Webb into a timeout.  The Bulldogs briefly got back within four at 9-5, but the Eagles were again able to increase their lead to eight at 15-7 where Gardner-Webb took its second timeout.  Out of the break mistakes began to plague the Eagles as the Bulldogs came all the way back to tie the set at 19-19.  Winthrop was able to weather the furious comeback by Gardner-Webb to take the set 25-21.

To start the fourth set, the Eagles again grabbed the early 5-0 lead only to see Gardner-Webb battle back.  Winthrop led by as much as five before the Bulldogs cut the lead down to one at 11-10.  The Eagles responded with a quick 4-0 run, forcing Gardner-Webb to take a timeout.  Winthrop increased its lead to as much as seven at 19-12 but Gardner-Webb started chipping away at the deficit.  The Bulldogs battled back to tie the set at 21-21 but Winthrop was again able to hold off the comeback, winning the fourth set 25-23.

Senior Alina Sopizhuk led the Eagles with a double-double, totaling 16 kills and 12 digs.  Nikki Drost and Brianna Gray each also added 10 kills in the victory.  Kelly Scott finished with 42 assists while Maria Volstad totaled a match-high 33 digs.

Winthrop will close out its home stand next weekend as the Eagles host High Point on Friday and Campbell on Saturday.