ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop volleyball team saw its season come to an end Saturday afternoon as the Eagles fell 3-1 to the UNC Asheville Bulldogs, snapping a six-match winning streak and eliminating them from making the conference tournament.

Winthrop closes the 2016 season with a 15-17 overall record and a 6-10 mark in the Big South.  Asheville improved to 12-15 overall and 6-10 in the conference.  Asheville earned the tournament berth by virtue of the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Eagles.

The Eagles and Bulldogs were all square through the first 14 points of the opening set before Winthrop went on a quick 6-1 run, going up 13-8 and extended their run to 13-3, taking a 20-10 edge.  The Eagles easily took the first set 25-13.

The second set again saw the two sides with a close battle early as the set was tied 11-11.  The Bulldogs then went on a 4-0 run and extended their stretch to 10-2, taking a 21-13 lead.  With Asheville up 23-14, the Eagles tried to mount a comeback, rallying for five points to get within 23-19 but couldn't keep the momentum going as Asheville took the second set 25-19.

After another back-and-forth battle to begin the third set, the Eagles got a little breathing room going up 20-16.  Asheville slowly chipped away at the Eagle lead and eventually tied the set at 21-21.  Winthrop went back up 22-21 but the Bulldogs were able to rally for the final four points to take the third set 25-22.

Winthrop struggled out of the gates of the fourth set as Asheville jumped out to a 7-1 lead.  The Eagles made a strong push to get back into the set and were able to get within one at 17-16 but after an Asheville timeout, Winthrop managed only three more points as the Bulldogs took the set 25-19 and the match 3-1.

Emma Weakland and Brianna Gray both playing in their final match as an Eagle led the team offensively.  Weakland finished with 13 kills while Gray added 12.  Siani Yamaguchi led the team with 26 assists and added 10 digs while Carlie Skelton had a game-high 22 digs.