ROCK HILL, SC—Winthrop volleyball opened up the season with a split on day one of the Eagle Challenge at Morehead State, Friday afternoon. The Eagles dropped their opener against Youngstown State, but bounced back with a win over Delaware State.
GAME INFORMATION GAME 1
Score: Winthrop 0, Youngstown State 3 (26-28, 23-25, 16-25)
Records: Winthrop 0-1, Youngstown State 1-0
Location: Morehead, KY
GAME INFORMATION GAME 2
Score: Winthrop 3, Delaware State 0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-11)
Records: Winthrop 1-1, Delaware State 0-2
Location: Morehead, KY
EAGLES HIGHLIGHTS (AGAINST YOUNGSTOWN STATE)
- Senior Keaupono Fey led the Eagles with 12 kills on 21 total attacks.
- Senior Carlie Skelton led the Eagles on the defensive side with 15 digs and two services ace.
EAGLES HIGHLIGHTS (AGAINST DELAWARE STATE)
- Sophomore Sydney Gunter led the Eagles with 13 kills out of 24 total attacks with a .500 hitting percentage.
- Senior Keaupono Fey was the other hitter to help Winthrop with 11 kills out of 15 total attacks and four blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED (AGAINST YOUNGSTOWN STATE)
Set 1
- The set went back and forth until Youngstown State made a 4-0 run for a 10-6 lead.
- The Eagles kept fighting back until they went on a 7-0 run to take the lead 23-20, but lost the next four to trail 24-23. The Penguins fought back to win the set after Margaux Thompson aced the Eagles to win the first set 28-26.
Set 2
- The Eagles and Penguins fought in the second set as nobody got higher than three points of each other as Youngstown State edged out the second set 25-23 on a kill by Sarah Varcolla.
Set 3
- Youngstown State pulled away from Winthrop fast in the third set as they started on a 7-3 run.
- Eventually went on a 12-6 run to force the Eagles to call a timeout.
- The Eagles grabbed a few points back, but Youngstown State stayed strong for a 25-16 victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED (AGAINST DELAWARE STATE)
Set 1
- The Eagles opened on a 6-1 run that forced Delaware State to call a timeout
- Winthrop continued to apply pressure on Delaware State as they scored seven straight points for a 17-10 lead
- Winthrop went on to win the set 25-18 after Sydney Gunter got a kill to end the set
Set 2
- Winthrop and the Hornets were back and forth until the Eagles went on a 9-3 run to make it 19-12 and finished the set on a 4-1 run to win 25-21.
Set 3
- The Eagles opened up the third set on a 6-1 run.
- Winthrop kept adding on points and cruised to a 25-11 victory.
UP NEXT
The Eagles will wrap-up play at the Morehead State Tournament when they take on the host on Saturday at 2 p.m.