ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop volleyball team fell to Murray State and Davidson Saturday on the final day of the Winthrop Invitational.

In the opening set against the Racers the teams traded early runs, and were all knotted up through 30 points.  Murray State, however, was able to go on an 8-2 run, taking a 23-17 advantage and eventually the set 25-19.  The Racers got out to an early lead in set two 8-5, but the Eagles came storming back on a 7-2 run, taking a 12-10 edge.  The two teams started trading points and Winthrop was finally able to get a little breathing room in the end, taking the set 25-19.

Murray State dominated the majority of the third set, leading by as much as 11 at 20-9, but Winthrop came on strong towards the end.  The Eagles slowly cut the lead down to 23-17 before Murray State reached set point at 24-17.  Winthrop then went on a 6-0 run, getting within 24-23, but couldn't finish it off, falling 25-23.

After trading points early in the fourth set, Murray State was able to slip away for a slim 13-10 advantage.  The Eagles were able to get back within one, but never any closer, falling 25-21 in the fourth set.

Annelies Dokter notched a double-double with 12 kills and 10 digs while Brianna Gray finished with 10 kills and six blocks.  Madilyn McCarty totaled 27 assists and Carlie Skelton finished with 17 digs.  Keaupono Fey notched seven blocks in the loss.

In the day's second match against Davidson, the Eagles took an early 4-2 lead before the Wildcats took control with a 7-0 run.  Winthrop was unable to recover from this run and fell 25-18 in the opening set.  In the second set, the Eagles used a strong 9-3 to turn a one-point deficit into a five-point lead.  Winthrop was able to fight off a late Davidson challenge to take the second set 25-21.

The two squads traded early runs before the Wildcats went on an 8-3 run, taking a 12-7 advantage.  Davidson pushed its lead to as much as nine at 21-12.  Winthrop came on strong with an 9-1 run, cutting its deficit to one at 22-21, but couldn't complete the comeback, falling 25-21.

Winthrop and Davidson were even through the first 16 points of the fourth set, but the Wildcats were able to slowly inch away.  A 7-2 run gave Davidson a 15-10 lead and they did not relinquish it, taking the fourth set 25-18.

Dokter recorded her second double-double of the day with 15 kills and 13 digs.  Emma Weakland finished with 10 kills while Carlie Skelton led the Eagles with 14 digs.

The Eagles will continue their home stretch on Friday, September 25 at 7 p.m. as they open conference play against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.