Box Score Statesboro, G.A. – After sweeping Southern Miss less than 24 hours ago, Winthrop volleyball returned to the Hanner Fieldhouse to sweep the home team, Georgia Southern (25-14, 25-23, 25-18). Kia Benitez finished with a match high 15 kills (.355), 11 digs, and two aces; Benitez was named tournament MVP. 

How it Happened
The Eagles used a 12-0 scoring run to take a big first set lead, 16-5. GSU gained some ground but the Eagles finished the set with a 6-2 run. Makayla Doyle was almost perfect in the first set; the senior middle blocker finished with four kills, no errors, off five attempts. The Eagles defense held GSU to just nine kills and a .152 hitting percentage. 
 
With the second set tied 15-15, GSU scored three straight points and forced Winthrop to call their first timeout of the match. The Eagles put together a 5-2 run out of the timeout to once again tie the set 20-20. Another 5-0 run out of a GSU timeout brought the Eagles to set point. GSU earned the next two points but a kill from Siani Yamaguchi put the Eagles up two sets to none. 

The Eagles maintained control of the match, leading for the entire third set. They led by as much as 19-12 but a run by GSU brought the set within four points. The Eagles pushed down on the gas pedal and cruised to a 25-18 set victory. The team finished the set with 17 kills, two errors, for an astounding .429 team hitting percentage. 

Inside the Box Score
Benitez was the only Eagle with double-digit kills but Yamaguchi registered another double-double with 37 assists, 13 digs, and six kills. Camila Gomez also had 13 digs for the Eagles, tied for a match high with Yamaguchi. Georgia Southern was paced by the 11 kills from Mya Wilson. 

Up Next
The Eagles will play three matches next week, one on Tuesday at Elon and two at home against Furman and App State. The Eagles take on the Furman Paladins on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. inside the Coliseum. They'll finish out the week on Friday against App State, also at 6:00 p.m.