HIGH POINT, NC – The Winthrop volleyball team dropped a hard-fought five-set match to the top-seeded Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Friday in the semifinals of the Big South Tournament.

The two teams were tight early in the first set before Coastal used a 6-1 run to open a 17-11 lead.  Winthrop slowly chipped away at the Chanticleer lead but still trailed by five at 23-18, but went on a 6-1 run to tie the set at 24-24 and used the momentum to take the next two points to win 26-24. 

Coastal Carolina dominated the second set, winning 25-11.  Winthrop led throughout the third set and took it easily 25-19. 

The Chanticleers got out to an early lead in the fifth set but Winthrop made a charge.  The Eagles trailed by only two at 12-10 but managed only one more point as Coastal Carolina won 15-11.

Nikki Drost led the Eagles with a double-double with 16 kills and 13 digs.  Lourdes Rosario recorded 13 kills and 13 digs.  Madilyn McCarty finished with 44 assists and 14 digs. 

Winthrop finishes the season with a 14-18 overall record.  Coastal Carolina has a 24-4 overall record and advances to Sunday's Big South Final.