Rock Hill, SC – The Eagles picked up their fifth consecutive win after beating Hampton in four sets (25-17, 18-25, 25-18, 25-22) inside the Winthrop Coliseum. This was the first time that the Eagles and the Pirates have met since Hampton joined the Big South Conference this year.

How It Happened
The Eagles came out firing in the first set behind big performances by Lou Rosario and Lily Leistiko. Rosario finished with four kills, no errors (.571) and one ace while Leistiko added five kills (.444). The Eagles had a two-point lead, 18-16 but an 8-0 run would bring them to set point. Hampton put away a kill to stop the run and avoid dropping the first set but a kill from Sydney Gunter rounded out a 9-1 run and the first set.

The Pirates rebounded for the second set, leading by as many as eight points, 20-12. The Eagles would go on a late run, but it wouldn't be enough to close the gap, allowing the Pirates the second set victory. Makayla Doyle finished the set with 5 kills and no errors (.500).

The Eagles went on a 3-0 run to begin the third set and they continued to lead until a kill from Hampton's Lena Washington tied the set 11-11. Two Hampton attack errors sparked a 5-0 run by the Eagles; Hampton called a timeout at 15-11, but Rosario answered with a service ace. The Pirates got within three points, 18-15, but the Eagles would push through to win the third set off a Siani Yamaguchi kill.

Points were exchanged for most of the fourth set and the Pirates almost managed to force a fifth set. The Eagles had key kills from Yamguchi and a big block from Rosario late in the set. Gunter pounded home a kill for the match victory. Rosario finished with 18 kills (.333), Phoebe Wu managed a double double of 12 kills (.209) and 14 assists, and Yamaguchi dished out 46 assists and picked up 15 digs.
 
Up Next
The Eagles are on the road again for just one match next week against Radford University. The Eagles take on the Highlanders at 4 p.m. on Saturday October 20^th.