ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop volleyball team won its fifth straight contest Tuesday, rallying from a two-set deficit to defeat the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs 3-2.
The Eagles improved to 14-16 overall and 5-9 in the Big South with the victory while Gardner-Webb fell to 3-11 in the Big South and 13-16 overall.
Three Eagles finished with double-digit kills, led by Kelsey Schroll who tallied 12 kills. Brianna Gray and Sydney Gunter each totaled 10 kills. Siani Yamaguchi led the team with 27 assists which Carlie Skelton led the Eagles with 19 digs. Hannah Lackey notched a double-double with 19 assists and 10 digs.
A rollercoaster of a first set saw both sides make large runs to gain leads. Gardner-Webb had the early 8-5 lead but a 5-0 Winthrop run gave the Eagles a 13-8 edge. Winthrop was able to pull away for a late 23-19 lead but the Bulldogs rallied on a 7-1 run to win the opening set 26-24.
The second set was another back-and-forth battle through the first 28 points as the teams were tied 14-14. Winthrop then went on a 5-0 run to take a 19-14 lead and continued to lead by five at 23-18. Gardner-Webb again made a late run, this time, 8-1, to win the second set 26-24.
Winthrop ensured the match would continue with a dominating performance in the third set. After the two sides were even through the first 16 points, the Eagles took full control. Winthrop made multiple unanswered runs en route to taking the third set 25-15.
In the fourth set, Winthrop grabbed an early 7-3 lead and never looked back. The Eagles their lead to nine at 20-11. Gardner-Webb was able to pull three points back but Winthrop quickly squashed the rally, taking the final five points for the 25-14 victory.
Through the first 20 points in the decisive fifth set, the two sides were tied 10-10 and never more than two points apart. Winthrop pulled away slightly at 13-10 but the Bulldogs rallied to tie the set at 13-13. The two teams traded points before the Eagles were able to grab the final two points needed for the 16-14 victory.
Winthrop closes out the regular season this weekend at home with a Thursday contest against Presbyterian at 7 p.m. and a 1 p.m. Saturday matchup against UNC Asheville.
