www.winthropphotos.com

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – Three Eagles notched double-digit kills Saturday as the Winthrop volleyball team downed Charleston Southern 3-1, extending its win streak to seven matches.

Winthrop improved to 11-6 overall and 2-0 in the Big South with the victory while the Buccaneers fell to 6-11 overall and 0-2 in the conference.

Senior Alina Sopizhuk led the Eagles with 12 kills and recorded a double-double with 10 digs while junior Rachel Lenz and freshman Keaupono Fey each tallied 11 kills.  Sophomore Kelly Scott guided the Eagles with 22 assists and hit .455 with six kills.

In the first set, both sides went back and forth with multi-point runs.  Late in the set, Charleston Southern led 21-16 but Winthrop battled back with a 7-2 run to tie the set at 23-23 but couldn't continue the momentum.  The Buccaneers got back-to-back kills to win the set 25-23.

Winthrop trailed briefly at the beginning of the second set but fought back to tie the set at 10-10.  The Eagles then went on a big 10-3 run, opening a 20-13 advantage.  Despite a quick spurt by the Buccaneers, the Eagles were able to maintain a comfortable lead, taking the second set 25-20.

Leads were again traded via runs in the third set and Winthrop found itself behind 18-14.  The Eagles rebounded with a strong 7-1, taking a 21-19 edge.  Charleston Southern tied the set at 21-21 and again two points later, but the Eagles took the final three points, winning the third set 25-22.

In the fourth set, the two sides were deadlocked through the first 26 points, tied 13-13.  Winthrop then went on a big tear to close out the set, allowing Charleston Southern only two more points as the Eagles won 25-15 and the match 3-1.

Winthrop finished with a .252 attack percentage with 57 kills and 55 assists.  The Eagles totaled seven service aces, 51 digs and six total team blocks in the victory.

The Eagles will return home on Tuesday for the team's final non-conference tilt of the year against the USC Upstate Spartans at 7 p.m.