AUBURN, AL – Three Eagles tallied double-digit kills Friday evening as the Winthrop volleyball team earned a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the South Florida Bulls on the first day of the Active Ankle Challenge hosted by Auburn University.

Winthrop (4-5) was led by senior Alina Sopizhuk who finished with 19 kills while freshman Nikki Drost totaled with 15 and junior Rachel Lenz tallied 10.  Lenz also had a strong night defensively with two solo blocks and six block assists.  Senior Jessie Vicic finished with a double-double with 47 assists and 11 digs. 

South Florida (2-5) took the first set in a back-and-forth battle.  Winthrop fell behind early 3-0 but fought back to tie the set at 9-9.  The Eagles then went on an 8-3 run to open a 17-12 advantage.  The Bulls responded with a big 11-2 run, taking a 23-19 lead, going on to win the first set 25-22.

In the second set, Winthrop used a quick 5-0 run to turn a one-point deficit into an a 18-14 advantage.  South Florida responded with a 6-2 run to tie the set at 20-20.  The two teams traded the next six points before a Nikki Drost kill and an attack error by the Bulls gave the Eagles the 25-23 victory.

The third set was dominated early by South Florida as the Bulls got out to a 13-9 advantage.  Winthrop slowly cut down the Bull lead and was able to take an 18-17 edge.  Again, the teams traded points late in the set, but South Florida was able to pull the last two points of the third set, winning 26-24.

Needing a fourth-set victory, Winthrop looked to be in full control, leading 17-10.  Following a South Florida timeout, the Bulls were able to get within two at 19-17.  After a Winthrop timeout, the Eagles took the next four points to go up 23-17.  The Bulls again battled back with a 5-0 run to get within 23-22, but couldn't get any closer as the Eagles took the fourth set 25-23.

In the decisive fifth set, Winthrop took the early lead and never relinquished it.  After the Eagles took the 6-3 edge, South Florida was able to get back within one at 9-8.  Winthrop closed the set on a 6-2 run, winning 15-10.

The Eagles finished the match with a .184 hitting percentage with 63 kills and 58 assists.  Winthrop totaled six service aces, 65 digs and 10 total blocks.

Winthrop will continue in the Active Ankle Challenge on Saturday when it faces the host Tigers at 1 p.m. followed by Troy at 6 p.m.