ROCK HILL, S.C. – Winthrop volleyball took care of the Presbyterian Blue Hose in four sets Thursday night, winning all but Set 2. The Eagles improve to 8-5 on the season.
 
KEY CONTRIBUTORS
Nikkia Benitez (35 attack, 8 kills, 4.0 blocks)
Leah Metzger (25 digs)
Jana Owens (27 assists)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Eagles came from behind in Set 1, trailing by as many as five. Following a timeout trailing 18-13, Winthrop responded with a 4-0 run, cutting the Blue Hose lead to just one. The set was all tied up at 21 following an attack error from PC's Erin Cooke. Back-to-back points out of the Presbyterian timeout gave Winthrop its first lead, 23-21. The Eagles would go on to take two more consecutive points to take Set 1, 25-22.
 
After the Eagles took an early 6-3 lead, the Blue Hose posted seven straight points to take a 10-6 lead. Jessica Young snapped PC's streak with kill. The Eagles kept chipping away at PC's lead but the Blue Hose wouldn't let up. An attack error handed PC the 25-19 Set 2 win.
 
Winthrop kicked things into gear during the third set. After allowing PC to tie things up at six, the Eagles went on a 7-1 to take a 13-7 lead. The Blue Hose hung in there but another 7-1 run to close out the set, secured the dominant 25-14 win.
 
The close out the match, the Eagles kept the moment rolling into the fourth set, while the Blue Hose were plagued by errors, recording 17 in the set. After seeing six ties early on, the Eagles went on a 5-0 run to pull ahead of the Blue Hose 12-7. Out of a PC timeout, the Blue Hose got a point off an Allie Wright kill but the Eagles received back-to-back points to keep a 14-8 lead. Another 4-0 run, two points off attack errors, gave the Eagles a nine-point lead. Another attack error gave Winthrop the match point and the 3-1 match win.  
 
UP NEXT
The Eagles will host Presbyterian Friday, Mar. 26 at 2 p.m. Prior to the start of the match, Winthrop will honor its seniors, Jessica Young and Emily Wunder.