ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop volleyball team picked up its first home and conference victories of the season Saturday afternoon, downing the Charleston Southern Buccaneers in straight sets.

The Eagles improved to 5-11 overall and 1-1 in the conference while Charleston Southern fell to 4-13 overall and 0-2 in the Big South.

Winthrop fell behind briefly early in the opening set, but then used a 6-1 run to take a 9-7 lead.  The Eagles slowly built their lead and was able to fight off a late Charleston Southern rally to take the first set 25-21.

The second set was close in the early going and the Eagles held a slim 16-15 lead before rattling off four straight points, taking a 20-15 edge and going on to take the second set 25-20.

The Eagles did not take their first lead of the third set until 22-21.  Winthrop took this lead during a 6-1 run that gave it set point at 24-22.  Charleston Southern fought back to tie the set at 24-24, but the Eagles were able to take the last two points, winning 26-24.

Rachel Lenz led the Eagles with 13 kills and Lourdes Rosario added 10.  Brianna Gray finished with five kills and five blocks.  Madilyn McCarty totaled 39 assists while Carlie Skelton added 12 digs to lead the team.

Winthrop will close out its six-match home stand on Tuesday with a non-conference contest against the Charlotte 49ers at 7 p.m. at the Winthrop Coliseum.