Rock Hill S.C - The Eagles started the Cristi Curtis Invitational with an exciting come from behind win against Morehead State. The Eagles trailed two sets to none against Morehead, but shook off the first game jitters and battled back to win three straight sets. In their second match of the day, the Eagles flipped the script and allowed the Davidson Wildcats to come back from a 2-0 set deficit to force a fifth set. The Eagles hung on in the fifth and won the day, earning a 2-0 season start.
Winthrop v. Morehead State
The Eagles were slow to start, and trailed by as many as eight points in the first set allowing Morehead to easily pull away to a two set match lead. The Eagles saved the match with a third set win and carried that momentum with them through the deciding fifth set.
The fifth set was back and forth, with the score notched at 14-14. The Eagles went on a 3-1 run to win the set and complete the comeback. Junior transfer,
Morgan Bossler had a standout debut performance as an Eagle. Bossler hammered 14 kills with zero errors for a .538 hitting percentage. The middle blocker also added two block assists, three digs, and one service ace.
Hannah Lackey finished with a game high 29 digs, and preseason player of the year selection,
Siani Yamaguchi, recorded 32 assists, 22 digs, five kills, and two service aces.
Winthrop v. Davidson
In the evening match against Davidson, the Eagles jumped out to a 2 set lead but dropped the third set keeping the Wildcats hopes alive. The Wildcats came back from an early deficit in the fourth set to tie it 22-22. A Davidson error gave the Eagles back the lead, 23-22, and Bossler gave match point to the Eagles with a resounding stuff block. Costly errors allowed the Wildcats to tie the set 24-24 and an ace serve gave them their first set point. Another Winthrop error allowed Davidson the fourth set victory and forced the second fifth set of the day for the Eagles. The Wildcats didn't make it easy for Winthrop, but the Eagles controlled the fifth set for their second five match win of the day.
Emily Wunder,
Sydney Gunter, and
Jace Kleffner each had 12 kills to lead the Eagles. Yamaguchi finished with her second double-double of the day with 25 assists, 10 digs, and five kills.
Up Next
The Cristi Curtis Invitational continues tomorrow with Davidson and Morehead State at 10:00 a.m. The Eagles are back on the court at 1:00 p.m. for their final match of the weekend against the Aggies of North Carolina A&T.
