COLUMBIA, SC – Four Eagles totaled double-digit kills Sunday morning as the Winthrop volleyball team downed the Furman Paladins 3-2 on the final day of the Carolina Classic.

Winthrop improved its record to 2-4 on the season and will have a quick turnaround as the Eagles will host their home opener Monday at 6 p.m. against Georgia Southern.

The Eagles cruised to a first-set victory, 25-17.  After a tight opening, Winthrop led 9-8 and then went on a 6-1 run, opening a 15-9 lead and easily taking the first set.  The Paladins got out to an early 7-2 lead over the Eagles in the second set.  Furman had to fight off a late Winthrop rally to take the second set 25-22.

Winthrop rebounded to win the third set 25-20.  The first 35 points were a back-and-forth battle which had the Eagles clinging to a slim 18-17 lead.  Winthrop limited Furman to only three more points as the Eagles grabbed the third-set victory.

Furman won an exciting fourth set, forcing a decisive fifth set.  Neither side was able to amass more than a three-point edge until the Paladins slipped away slightly at 22-14.  Winthrop battled back within two at 23-21 but couldn't get closer as Furman won 25-22.

In the fifth set, Winthrop held a slim 6-5 lead before going on a big 9-2 run to win the fifth set 15-7.

Lourdes Rosario led the Eagles with 21 kills while Brianna Gray finished with 12 and Keaupono Fey and Sammi-Jo Ah-Hong each tallied 11.  Gray earned All-Tournament honors for her three-match performances.  Siani Yamaguchi recorded her first career double-double with 59 assists and 15 digs in the victory.