ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop volleyball team swept past the NC Central Eagles Tuesday evening in the team's final non-conference contest of the season.

Winthrop improved to 12-17 overall with the victory while NC Central fell to 5-24.

After falling behind 6-0 to start the first set, Winthrop was able to settle in and went on an 18-3 run, taking an 18-9 lead.  Winthrop allowed NC Central only four more points, taking the first set 25-13.

Winthrop came out strong in the second set, jumping out to an 8-1 lead and allowed NC Central to score more than one point in a row only once.  Winthrop took the second set 25-11.

The third set was a much closer affair with NC Central using a 12-2 run to turn a 5-1 deficit into a 13-7 lead.  Winthrop fought back to get within two at 19-17 but NC Central went back up 22-17.  Central had set point at 24-20 but Winthrop fought off four straight to send the set to extra points.  The teams traded points before Winthrop was finally able to pull away for the 30-28 victory.

Brianna Gray and Nikki Drost tied for the team lead with eight kills apiece.  Gray also added seven blocks.  Madilyn McCarty finished with 33 assists and nine total blocks.  Maria Volstad led Winthrop with 15 digs.

The Eagles will close out the regular season on Friday when they host the Presbyterian College Blue Hose at 7 p.m.