CHARLOTTE, NC – The Winthrop volleyball team won a thrilling five-set match Tuesday evening over the Charlotte 49ers 17-25, 25-23, 25-22, 22-25 and 19-17.

Winthrop (2-3) had a slow start against the 49ers in the first set, falling behind 5-1 early.  The Eagles battled back to tie the set at 8-8 but couldn't break through to take a lead.  After the set was again tied 10-10, Charlotte (3-2) went on an 8-2 run to open an 18-12 advantage en route to taking the first set 25-17.

The Eagles had a stronger start to the second set but still trailed 12-8 through the first 20 points.  Winthrop slowly chipped away at its deficit and was eventually able to square the set at 17-17.  After dropping the next two points, the Eagles went on a 4-0 run to take a 21-19 edge and was able to hold off a late Charlotte rally to take the second set 25-23.

Winthrop never trailed in the third set, jumping out to an early 5-1 advantage.  Charlotte fought back to tie the set at 9-9 but couldn't overtake the Eagles.  Winthrop increased its lead to as much as five at 20-1.  The 49ers got back within two at 23-21, forcing Winthrop into a timeout.  After the teams traded points and the Eagles had set point at 24-22, another Eagle timeout set the stage for an Emma Weakland kill to take the set 25-22.

The fourth set was a back and forth battle as no more than three points separated the two teams through the first 38 points as the sides were tied 19-19.  Charlotte then went on a 5-0 run to take a 24-19 edge.  Winthrop didn't go quietly, fighting off three set points, but couldn't hold on, falling 25-22, forcing a decisive fifth set.

The fifth set proved to be just as thrilling as the rest of the match.  The two teams traded the first 16 points before Winthrop was able to pull off three in a row to grab an 11-8 advantage.  Charlotte battled back with a 3-0 run of its own to tie the set at 11-11.  The two sides then traded the next 12 points before the Eagles got a kill from Alina Sopizhuk and a big block from Rachel Lenz and Weakland to get the victory 19-17.

Sopizhuk and Weakland led the Eagles offensively with 13 and 11 kills respectively.  Sopizhuk picked up a double-double by adding 10 digs.  Jessie Vicic finished with 30 assists while Maria Volstad tallied 17 digs. 

The Eagles hit only .174 in the victory with 52 kills and 46 assists.  Winthrop finished with six service aces, 57 digs and nine team blocks.

The Eagles will head home for their first contest inside the Winthrop Coliseum Friday when they host the Carolina Challenge.  Winthrop will face Furman Friday at 7 p.m.