Rock Hill, S.C. – Winthrop volleyball defended their unbeaten record and clinched the Big South Regular Season Title with a four-set win over UNC Asheville, (25-23, 25-22, 20-25, 25-20) on Saturday afternoon. This is the first title for the Eagles since they claimed Co-Champions with Liberty in 2011. In what has already been a story-book season for the Eagles, they now move to 21-4, their first season over twenty wins since the 2006 team went 34-3. 
 
How It Happened
An 8-8 tie was broken by a kill from Morgan Bossler, one of her six in the opening set. The Eagles used a 4-0 run to pad their lead, but errors allowed the Bulldogs back into the set. A kill from Jace Kleffner on the outside put the finishing touch on the first set victory. 
 
UNCA took a lead early in the second and the Eagles struggled to stay within three points until an ace from Siani Yamaguchi sparked a 5-1 run. The set remained tight, reaching another tie, 20-20. Emily Wunder came up big with two kills and a block in the final five points of the set.  
 
The Eagles once again found themselves playing from behind in the second set, when a big block from Makayla Doyle brought the team back to life. The third set saw eight ties but just two lead changes. Winthrop came up with some big plays defensively but struggled on the offensive side, hitting just a .071 on the set. 
 
Once again, the Eagles trailed for most of the fourth set but an incredible defensive effort, and help from the bench, gave the Eagles the lead. Colleen Siebold provided big kills and high energy for Winthrop in the final stretch. A kill from Morgan Bossler brought the Eagles to their first match point and an attack error from UNCA sealed the deal. 
 
Inside the Box Score
Siani Yamaguchi played an incredible defensive match, finishing with a career-high 23 digs, to go along with 48 assists, four kills, and three service aces. Morgan Bossler led the offense with a season-high 16 kills. Makayla Doyle joined Bossler in double-digit kills with 13 and also finished with a team-high, 4 blocks. 
 
Cecilia Stack was the only Bulldog to reach double-digit kills with 11, and Kailey Hackett finished with a match-high, 36 digs. 
 
Up Next
The Eagles (13-0, 21-4) have just one match of the regular season before hosting the Big South Conference playoffs. Gardner-Webb will make a trip to the Coliseum next Friday at 6:00 p.m. There will be a senior recognition for the 2019 class prior to the match.