Rock Hill, SC – This Friday the Eagles will play their last preseason games before beginning conference play next Tuesday against Gardner Webb. They are scheduled for two Friday matches at Furman University against Appalachian State and the host, Paladins.
 

Week 4: Furman Invitational

Winthrop vs. Appalachian State

Friday Sept 14, at 12:00 p.m. ET

Greenville, SC | Alley Gym, Furman University

Live Stats

Winthrop vs. Furman

Friday Sept 14, at 7:00 p.m. ET

Greenville, SC | Alley Gym, Furman University

Video | Live Stats

 
At the Spartan-Aggie Invitational in Greensboro, NC, the Eagles went 2-1 in the two-day tournament and remained perfect on Saturday with two three set sweeps. Jace Kleffner and Lily Leistiko were both named to the All-Tournament Team. Kleffner, had 29 kills over the weekend for 2.9 kills per set and a team high 15 kills, 3 aces, and 2 block assists against UNC Greensboro. In a three-set sweep of NC A&T, Kleffner hit a .304 efficiency off either kills and added another 3 aces to the stat sheet. Lily Leistiko, a freshman, had 2 solo blocks and 7 block assists in the ten sets she played.

Appalachian State is 6-4 on the 2018 season and two of those losses were at the hands of Clemson and Mississippi State. They have beaten two Big South Conference foes, UNC Asheville and Campbell University. Junior outside hitter, Emma Longley has been leading the Mountaineers with 3.27 kills per set and a hitting efficiency of .213.

Furman University are the defending regular season Southern Conference championships and are the league favorite for this season. They are currently 4-5 with three of those four losses coming from power five opponents. They have a veteran team with a very balanced offense.