ROCK HILL, S.C. – Nikkia Benitez and
Brookelynn Thomas each had a team-high 12 kills in Winthrop's 3-0 loss to South Carolina on Thursday evening in non-conference volleyball action. The match marked the first time that the Eagles have hosted a Power Five opponent inside the Winthrop Coliseum since September 18, 2015 when Clemson came to town.
Winthrop (4-5) | USC (7-2)
Sept. 16, 2021 | Winthrop Coliseum
USC 3, Winthrop 0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-21)
How it Happened
Set 1 | Both Winthrop and USC looked to establish a rhythm early in the match. An early Gamecock run extended their advantage to 5-2. The Eagles got within one point on multiple occasions, but were unable to close the gap. Leading 13-10, USC won five of the next seven points to take a commanding 18-12 lead. Although the Eagles continued to battle for the rest of the opening stanza, the Gamecocks stood tall and took the first set 25-18. Benitez led the way for the Garnet and Gold with three kills in the period.
Set 2 | The Gamecocks continued their early momentum by winning the first three points of the second set. Winthrop closed the gap by taking four of the next seven points, but USC pulled away early in the set. The Eagles won six of the next nine points to keep things interesting, but Winthrop would never get closer than three points the rest of the way. The Gamecocks finished off the set with a big kill for an identical 25-18 triumph. Thomas led the way offensively with five kills.
Set 3 | Once again, USC jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead. However, the Eagles battled back hard and took a 4-3 lead on a Benitez kill. Although the Gamecocks took a 9-7 lead, a 4-0 run capped off by a block and a kill from
Morgan Bossler gave Winthrop an 11-9 lead. Three consecutive points from USC gave the visitors the lead back, and they would not relinquish it for the rest of the match. The Eagles got within 22-21, but once again, the visiting Gamecocks closed out the period with three consecutive points to take the sweep. Benitez had three kills to lead the way.
Statistical Standouts
Notes
- Madison Gorniak notched a career-high with 19 digs; Benitez had double-digit kills for the fifth time this season
- Alayna Jansky had double-digit digs for the third time in her Winthrop career
- Thomas' 12 kills were just one off her season high
Up Next
Winthrop remains at home for its next contest against Charlotte on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m.
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