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BOILING SPRINGS, NC – The Winthrop volleyball team swept past the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs Friday evening in a road Big South conference contest.

The Eagles were led offensively by the trio of Alina Sopizhuk, Nikki Drost and Brianna Gray who each tallied double-digit kills.  Sopizhuk led all hitter with 14 kills while Brianna Gray tallied 10 and a .438 attack percentage.  Drost posted a double-double with 12 kills and 13 digs.  Jessie Vicic finished with 48 assists while Maria Volstad totaled 20 digs.

Winthrop (18-10, 8-4) and the Bulldogs (12-17, 5-6) were even through the first 18 points of the opening set before Winthrop went on a 6-1 run to open a 15-10 advantage.  Gardner-Webb battled back to get within one at 18-17 but couldn't get any closer as the Eagles closed the set on a 7-2 run to win 25-19.

The second set was again close in the beginning before Winthrop used a strong run to separate themselves from the Bulldogs.  This time, the Eagles went on an 8-2 run to turn a 7-7 tie into a 15-9 lead.  Winthrop increased its lead to as much as eight en route to the 25-18, second-set victory.

The Eagles dominated the third and final set, trailing only once after the first point of the set.  Gardner-Webb stayed within striking distance, down only four at 16-12, but the Eagles closed the set on a 9-2 run, winning 25-14.

Winthrop finished with 50 kills and only 11 errors for a .364 attack percentage.  The Eagles totaled 50 assists, four service aces, 62 digs and seven total blocks.

The Eagles continue on the road Saturday afternoon with a 1 p.m. contest at UNC Asheville.