ROCK HILL, SC -- The Winthrop volleyball team dropped a hard-fought battle 3-2 Saturday afternoon to the Presbyterian Blue Hose.

Winthrop (9-14, 0-7) held an early 4-2 lead in the opening set before Presbyterian rattled off six straight points, taking an 8-4 advantage.  The Eagles were unable to string more than two points together the rest of the set, falling 25-15.

Presbyterian (4-16, 2-4) jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the second set.  Winthrop responded with a 5-0 rally to get within 10-7.  The two sides then traded four-point spurts and the Eagles trailed 14-11.  Winthrop was then able to manage only four more points, again falling 25-15.

Winthrop rebounded for a third-set victory.  The two sides were all square through 20 points and then the Eagles slowly worked their way ahead of the Blue Hose and eventually took the set 25-22.

The Eagles rode the momentum into the fourth set.  After being down 17-15, Winthrop used a 7-1 run to open a 22-18 lead and took the set 25-22.

Winthrop's good fortune did not continue through the fifth set.  After the Eagles led  3-2, Presbyterian went on an 8-0 run, taking a 10-3 lead and went on to take the set 15-7.

Emma Weakland led Winthrop with 16 kills.  Sammie-Jo Ah-Hong was one of three players who recorded double-doubles, finishing with 13 kills and 14 digs.  Hannah Lackey led the Eagles with 27 assists and added 18 digs while Siani Yamaguchi totaled 13 assists and 10 digs.  Carlie Skelton led Winthrop with 29 digs.

The Eagles continue conference play at home next weekend, hosting Liberty Friday and Radford Saturday.