ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop volleyball team closes out its regular-season schedule Friday night at Presbyterian as the Eagles look to secure a top-four seed in next week's Big South Conference Tournament.

Winthrop enters Friday's contest with an 18-11 record overall and an 8-5 mark in the Big South.  The Eagles can finish anywhere from third to fifth depending on results this weekend.

With a victory, Winthrop can finish no worse than fourth, but could finish third if Coastal Carolina drops its two matches this weekend.  Should the Eagles fall to the Blue Hose Friday, Winthrop will be the fifth seed, regardless of other outcomes.

Presbyterian currently sits in fifth place in the conference standings with 7-6 Big South record and a 12-14 overall mark.  A win for the Blue Hose would give them the fourth seed in the tournament while a loss puts them in jeopardy of falling based on other results.

The Eagles and Blue Hose previously met on October 3 in the Winthrop Coliseum with Presbyterian coming away with a five-set victory.

Winthrop had a strong defensive effort the first time out against Presbyterian, totaling 21 team blocks.  Junior Rachel Lenz led the way for the Eagles with 18 kills and a .382 attack percentage to go along with a career-high 11 total blocks.  Sophomore Maria Volstad also contributed a then season-high 25 digs.

Presbyterian was led in the first meeting by Rachel Hall who totaled 18 kills.  Ashtin Frank notched a double-double with 37 assists and 17 digs while Mary Trimpe tallied 25 digs.

Final seedings and pairings for the conference tournament will be determined by Sunday.  The tournament will be hosted next Thursday-Sunday on the campus of Coastal Carolina in Conway, SC.  Quarterfinals will be contested Thursday with the semi-finals Friday and the championship Sunday.