Rock Hill, S.C. – Winthrop volleyball (21-4, 13-0) will host Gardner-Webb this Friday at 6:00 p.m. for their final regular season match of the 2019 season. With this match, the Eagles look to complete the regular season a perfect 14-0, clinch the number one seed, and Regular Season Championship Title. This will be the first time the Eagles have been the single Regular Season Champions since 2006; the 2011 team shared that title with Liberty.
A Look at Gardner-Webb
The Runnin' Bulldogs are 3-21 overall and 1-12 in conference play. Their first conference win came over Hampton (25-21, 21-25, 25-21, 25-13) in Week 10. In their first match up of the season, Winthrop swept Gardner-Webb in three straight sets at the Paul Porter Arena (25-20, 25-13, 25-19).
Gardner-Webb played a majority of the season without their lead attacker, Kylee Garrison. Garrison's first match back was against UNC Asheville where is finished with nine kills and a .350 attacking efficiency. The Runnin' Bulldogs have relied on Elizabeth Griffith (MB/RS) in Garrison's absence; Griffith is maintaining 1.91 kills per set.
Catching Up with The Eagles
The Eagles have rolled through this conference season, playing just two five-set matches, and playing from behind on just one occasion. Winthrop has a wide spread offense, setter
Siani Yamaguchi, helped five Eagles to double-digit kills against USC Upstate.
Jace Kleffner lead the charge with 16 kills and
Makayla Doyle followed her with 15. Doyle was named Big South Volleyball Player of the Week after her efforts in week 11. Yamaguchi not only leads the offense, but she was also dominate on defense against UNC Asheville, finishing with a career-high 23 digs.
Seniors, Hanah Lackey,
Siani Yamaguchi,
Makayla Doyle,
Jace Kleffner, and
Sydney Gunter have all been key contributors for this season and throughout their careers. There will be a short reconition prior to the start of the match to honor these five seniors.
Big South Conference Tournament
Winthrop will host the 2019 Big South Conference Volleyball tournament beginning next Friday, November 22nd, and continuing through the championship match on Sunday, November 24th. With the number one seed, the Eagles have a first round bye and will play in the semi-finals on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Opponent is yet to be determined.
