Seattle, W.A – The Eagles record year came to an end in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Eagles fell to #8 Huskies in three-sets in the Alaska Airlines Arena (23-25, 10-25, 10-25). The Eagles finish the season with a 24-5 record, their best since the 2006. 
 
How it Happened
The opening set of the first round was an all-out battle, with 15 ties and 8 lead changes. Nikkia Benitez put the Eagles on the board, ripping a kill down the middle of the court. The Eagles mounted a 4-1 run behind a kill from a big block from Emily Wunder and a kill from Siani Yamaguchi. The Huskies took the first set with a kill from right-side, Lauren Sanders. 
 
The Huskies carried their first set momentum into the second set, jumping to a 7-2 lead. Huskies extended their lead 13-2 and the Eagles chipped away with kills from Wunder and Yamaguchi. The Eagles couldn't overcome the deficit and the offensive power of Washington. The Eagles hit just a .069 compared to the .556 of the Huskies. Washington's offense continued to over-power the Eagles in the third set. Winthrop saw some good moments with big blocks from Makayla Doyle and key kills from Nikkia Benitez. The Huskies were led by Kara Bajema, who finished with a match high 18 kills. 
 
The Huskies will move on to play in the second round against the South Carolina Gamecocks, Saturday night.