Rock Hill, S.C. – With a three-set sweep over Gardner-Webb, the Eagles were crowned the 2019 Big South Regular Season Champions for the first time since 2006 (25-19, 25-23, 25-22). In just his second year at the helm, head coach Chuck Rey has lead the Eagles to a perfect 14-0 in conference and 12-0 at home. 
 
How It Happened
Sydney Gunter started, and ended, the opening set with back-to-back kills. Nikkia Benitez scored three kills in her first trip through the front row, but Eagle hitting errors kept Gardner-Webb in the match. The Runnin' Bulldogs took the lead, 16-15, but a 4-0 Winthrop run opened up the set and cruised to a first set victory. 
 
Eagles were down 16-11 but mounted a six-point comeback to tie the set, 21-21. The set featured three more ties, before Winthrop took the final lead, 24-23. An Ace serve from Hannah Lackey completed the comeback and put the Eagles up 2-0.  
 
Winthrop found themselves playing from behind, yet again in the third set. A big block from Jace Kleffner, and a Leah Metztger ace, tied the set 19-19. Nikkia Benitez came through with a kill to give the Eagles their first lead of the set. Savannah Roper finished off the match with an ace serve and the Eagles were officially the 2019 Regular Season Conference Champions. 
 
Inside the Box Score
Sydney Gunter and Jace Kleffner each finished with nine kills, Kleffner only had one attack error on the night. As a team, the Eagles hit a .250 on the night and held Gardner-Webb to a .193. 
 
Up Next
Tonight's match concludes the 2019 regular season. Winthrop will host the 2019 Big South Conference Volleyball Championships next weekend, from Friday, November 22^nd through Sunday, November 24^th. As the #1 seed, the Eagles have a first-round bye and will play in the semi-final matchup on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. 
 
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