www.winthropphotos.com

WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Junior Rachel Lenz tallied 15 kills Friday to lead the Winthrop volleyball team to a 3-1 victory over ACC opponent Wake Forest on the first day of the Deacon Classic.

Winthrop improved to 7-6 overall with the victory while Wake Forest fell to 8-4, its second loss in a row at home.

Lenz' 15 kills went along with five total blocks for the match with a season-high .500 attack percentage.  Sophomore Brianna Gray and freshman Nikki Drost also notched double-digit kills with 11 and 10 respectively.  Gray also added six total blocks while Drost grabbed her first career double-double with 10 digs.

After dropping the first point, Wake Forest controlled the first set.  The Demon Deacons went on a 5-1 run, opening a 5-2 lead.  Wake Forest grabbed a 12-7 edge and the Eagles were only able to get as close as three points as Wake took the first set 25-18.

Winthrop made a strong, late surge in the second set, overcoming a 21-16 deficit.  A quick 3-0 run by the Eagles to cut the lead down to 21-18 forced Wake Forest to take a timeout. 

Out of the break, Winthrop got within one at 23-22 before the Demon Deacons reached set point at 24-22.  The Eagles fought off two set points in the midst of a 4-0 run to take a 25-24 edge.  After Wake Forest tied the set at 25-25, Winthrop grabbed the final two points, winning 27-25.

The Eagles again fell behind early in the third set before making a late rally.  Wake Forest led by as much as four at 15-11 before Winthrop took five of the next six points to square the set at 16-16. 

The Demon Deacons retook an 18-17 edge before a 4-0 run by the Eagles gave Winthrop a 21-18 lead.  Wake Forest fought back to tie the set at 23-23.  Wake Forest fought off one set point at 24-23, but couldn't hold out any longer as the Eagles took the third set 26-24. 

Winthrop rode the momentum from the third set and dominated the fourth set.  After a 3-3 tie, the Eagles went on a 9-4 run to open a 12-7 advantage, sending the Demon Deacons into a timeout.  After the break, Wake Forest got back within one at 15-14, but the Eagles allowed only more point to the Demon Deacons, closing the set on a 10-1 run, winning 25-15.

Winthrop finished with a .280 hitting percentage with 53 kills and 50 assists.  The Eagles tallied four service aces, 38 digs and 15 total team blocks.

The Eagles will return to the court on the second day of the Deacon Classic Saturday at 11 a.m. against Elon followed by a 5 p.m. contest against Western Carolina.