Spartanburg, S.C. – Winthrop won their final regular-season road match vs. USC Upstate by a final score of 3-1 (25-19, 11-25, 25-17, 25-22).
Winthrop (12-12, 11-2 Big South) | USC Upstate (12-13, 5-8 Big South)
Nov. 4, 2023 | G.B. Hodge Center
Winthrop 3, USC Upstate 1 (25-19, 11-25, 25-17, 25-22)
How it Happened
Set 1 | Winthrop started the day up 7-6 with
Riley Oglevie and
Avery Jolley each notching two kills. But a critical 17-12 run by the Eagles left them within a point of clinching the first set at 24-18. Jolley led the big rally with five kills. Fittingly, Jolley ended the opening frame two plays later, giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead in the match.
Set 2 | The second set was simply all USC Upstate. The teams split the first eight points with
Karli Shepherd tacking on two kills to account for half of Winthrop's early four points. But the Spartans exploded with a clinching 21-7 run to tie the match at one.
Set 3 | The Eagles started the third set with a 9-6 lead with Jolley notching a pair of early kills. The Spartans scored five of the next six points to take an 11-10 lead. The Eagles then used another critical rally to maintain their slim lead, this time going on an 8-5 run to lead 18-16. Jolley recorded two service aces during the stretch. Winthrop took a 2-1 lead in the match by scoring seven of the final eight points. Jolley added three more kills to her total during the final run.
Set 4 | Trailing 15-11, Winthrop scored seven of the next eight points to vault into the lead at 18-16, including six straight points.
Brookelynn Thomas led the way with a pair of kills. USC Upstate rallied to tie the set at 22 with a small 6-4 run but three straight points by the Eagles ended the match.
Statistical Leaders
Notables
- The Eagles have played 1,798 matches all-time as the program holds a mark of 1,070-728.
- Winthrop finishes 6-4 in true road games.
- The Eagles have clinched the second seed in the upcoming Big South Tournament.
- Four Eagles finished in double figures in digs.
- Jolley finished the day with a double double in kills and digs.
- Winthrop held the edge in blocks, assists and digs.
- The two teams were deadlocked in kills with 48.
- Jolley led the Eagles in kills with 19 and aces with three.
- Lexie Vick led the Eagles in blocks with five.
- Isabella Murray led the Eagles in assists with 39.
- Madison Gorniak led the Eagles in digs with 19.
UP NEXT
The Eagles host Gardner-Webb for Senior Day/Homecoming next Saturday at 2 p.m. This will also be the regular-season finale and the match will be on ESPN+.
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