CHARLESTON, SC – Four Eagles tallied double-digit kills Saturday afternoon but the Winthrop volleyball team fell in four sets to the Charleston Southern Buccaneers.

Winthrop fell to 9-17 overall and 4-7 in the Big South with the loss while Charleston Southern improved to 9-16 overall and 4-7 in the conference.

Annelies Dokter led the Eagles with 18 kills and recorded a double-double with 13 digs.  Nikki Drost also tallied a double-double with 12 kills and 19 digs.  Emma Weakland finished with 14 kills while Rachel Lenz added 12.  Madilyn McCarty totaled 51 assists and Mallary McFadden led the Eagles with 21 digs.

All four sets were a back-and-forth affair between the two sides.  Winthrop had a strong opening set, taking an early lead and winning 25-23.  Charleston Southern took a hold early in the second set only to see Winthrop come back.  The Eagle rally fell short as the Buccaneers took the second set 27-25.

Winthrop had the early lead in set three, but Charleston Southern fought back.  After tying the set at 12-12 the teams traded points.  The Eagles led 23-22 late, but Charleston Southern took the final three points, winning 25-23. 

The Eagles took full control early in the fourth set, leading 7-0 and extending it to as much as 13-3.  The Buccaneers then rattled off 10 straight points, tying the set at 13-13.  After briefly trading points, the sides were again tied at 19-19.  The Buccaneers went up 23-20 but Winthrop was able to pull back a few points, but it wasn't enough as Charleston Southern won 25-22.

Winthrop will return to the Winthrop Coliseum next weekend as the Eagles host Gardner-Webb Friday and UNC Asheville Saturday.