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CLINTON, SC – Junior Rachel Lenz tallied a career-high 23 kills to guide the Winthrop volleyball to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory Friday evening in the team's regular-season finale.

With the victory, the Eagles improved to 19-11 overall and 9-5 in the conference and secured a top-four seed in next week's conference tournament.  Presbyterian fell to 12-15 overall and 7-7 in the Big South.

Lenz led all hitters with 23 kills and a .439 attack percentage, committing only five errors on 41 total attacks.  She also contributed six total blocks.  Nikki Drost also added 12 kills while Jessie Vicic notched a double-double with 53 assists and 16 digs.

The Eagles played two strong first sets but couldn't close out the Blue Hose.  The first set saw the two sides tied at 19-19 before Presbyterian took three of the next four before closing out the Eagles 25-23.

Winthrop led early in the second set by as much as five at 14-9, but Presbyterian battled back to tie the set at 19-19.  The Blue Hose increased their lead to as much as 23-20 en route to taking the second set 25-23.

The Eagles dominated the third and fourth sets, leading each by as much eight but allowed Presbyterian to battle its way back in.  Winthrop was able to hold off the charge each time, winning the third set 25-20 and the fourth 25-23, forcing a decisive fifth set.

After dropping the opening point of the fifth set, Winthrop led throughout.  The Eagles led by as much as five at 13-8, but another charge by the Blue Hose brought them within one at 14-13, but couldn't finish the comeback as the Eagles won 15-13.

Winthrop will now wait for the final contests of the regular season Saturday to see who they will play in the conference tournament next week hosted by Coastal Carolina.