GREENVILLE, SC – The Winthrop volleyball team dropped a pair of matches Saturday afternoon to in-state rivals South Carolina and Clemson on the second day of the Carolina Classic hosted by Furman University.
Winthrop (0-7) came out strong against the Gamecocks, taking the first two sets 26-24 and 25-19 respectively. The Eagles trailed only briefly in the first set but had to fight for every point. In the second set, Winthrop used a crucial 7-2 run midway through the set to turn a two-point deficit into a three-point lead en route to the victory.
In the third set, the two squads traded runs early before South Carolina was able to pull away with a 6-2 run to take the set 25-21. Winthrop fell behind early in the fourth set and couldn't get closer than three points at the Gamecocks evened the match with a 25-20 victory.
After a 3-3 tie early in the fifth set, Winthrop went on a quick 3-0 spurt to take a 6-3 edge. Winthrop continued to lead at 8-5 before the sides traded 3-0 runs three times and the set was tied at 11-11. The Eagles took the next point, but that was followed by four straight errors by Winthrop, giving South Carolina the 15-12 set victory and the match 3-2.
Lourdes Rosario finished with 15 kills and 11 digs while Annelies Dokter had 13 kills and 10 digs. Emma Weakland also added 11 kills. Rachel Lenz finished with seven blocks and eight kills.
The Eagles struggled to get going offensively against the Tigers in the team's second game of the day. Clemson claimed the first set 25-17. After a 3-3 tie early in the second set, Clemson went on a 5-2 run, opening a 8-5 lead which it increased to as much as five, taking the second set 25-21.
Winthrop battled early in the third set, but allowed the Tigers to go on a couple small runs to open a bigger lead. Clemson took the third set 25-17 and the match 3-0.
Rosario totaled 10 kills in the loss while Madilyn McCarty finished with 15 assists. Maria Volstad led the team with 13 digs.
The Eagles will have the week off before returning to the court at the Bash in the 'Boro hosted by Georgia Southern. Winthrop will face Chicago State, Tennessee State and the host Eagles.