Rock Hill, S.C. – Winthrop Volleyball (0-9, 0-0 Big South) will play their first home matches of the season this week as the Eagles welcome VCU, Eastern Kentucky and South Carolina for the Winthrop Invitational. Winthrop will play Eastern Kentucky on Friday at 6 p.m. and then take on South Carolina the next night at 6 p.m. Both of these matches will be televised on ESPN+.
 

Winthrop Volleyball Game Information
Match 1 vs. Eastern Kentucky	Friday, Sep. 15 | 6 p.m. (EST) | Watch | Live Stats
Match 2 vs. South Carolina	Saturday, Sep. 16 | 6 p.m. (EST) | Watch | Live Stats
Location	Rock Hill, SC | Winthrop Coliseum
Shop	Find all your needs for Winthrop gear– ShopWinthropeagles | ShopWinthropGear
Tickets	Click here
Promotions	Camper Appreciation (Camper and 1 Guest Get Free Admission)
Social	Twitter - @WinthropVolley / @WUEagles | Instagram - winthropvolleyball | #ROCKtheHILL | #EverStand

 
SERIES HISTORY VERSUS EASTERN KENTUCKY
This will be the 3^rd meeting between the programs, with Eastern Kentucky leading the series 2-0. Both of their victories were 2-0 counts on Oct. 6, 1978 and Oct. 7, 1982, respectively. Eastern Kentucky went 15-15 (6-10 Atlantic Sun Conference) in 2022.
 
SERIES HISTORY VERSUS SOUTH CAROLINA
Winthrop and South Carolina will meet for the 53^rd time with South Carolina leading the series 29-23. The first meeting took place in 1971, a pair of 2-0 Eagle victories. Winthrop dominated their in-state rival until 1986 (the year Winthrop became a Division I member), winning 21 of the first 27 matchups, including 14 in a row at one point. The series has been all South Carolina since then, with the Gamecocks winning 23 of the last 25 matchups, including five straight. Winthrop's only victories during this stretch were a 3-1 count on Sep. 4, 2010 and a 3-2 margin on Sep. 7, 2013, at Clemson and at home, respectively. The most recent meeting was last season on Aug. 27 in Columbia with South Carolina emerging victorious in straight sets, 3-0. The Gamecocks went 13-15 (7-11 Southeastern Conference) in 2022.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Eagles continued 2023 in the Gator Invitational at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville last week. The Eagles fell 3-1 to Clemson on Thursday, 3-2 to Sacramento State on Friday and 3-0 to #3 and undefeated Florida on Saturday. The match with the Gators was the highest ranked opponent Winthrop has ever faced. Avery Jolley hit .351 in the match against Sacramento State & tallied 32 kills and 23 digs on the weekend, being named to the Gator Invitational All-Tournament Team for her performance while Karli Shepherd had six aces and Isabella Murray led the Eagles in assists and digs with 98 and 25, respectively. Brookelynn Thomas got to 500 career kills during the tournament.
 
BIG SOUTH WEEKLY HONORS

• Alicia Roberts-Rumble In The Rockies All-Tournament Team (Aug. 28)
  • Hit .417 in the match against Green Bay
  • Tallied 13 total blocks on the weekend (1.3 per set)
  • The 13 blocks led Winthrop individually in the tournament
• Avery Jolley-Gator Invitational All-Tournament Team (Sept. 9)
  • Had a double-double vs. Sacramento State (14 kills, 14 digs), hitting .351 vs. the Hornets
  • The 32 kills led Winthrop individually in the tournament
  • Hit .277 on the weekend

GET YOUR SEASON TICKETS TODAY
General Admission tickets will be sold for all volleyball games in the 2023 season. Season tickets are currently on sale for $20. Single-game tickets are $5. Get your season pass today by visiting www.winthropeagles.com/volleyballtickets or call the ticket office at (803) 323-2345.
 
PROMOTIONAL NIGHT
The Eagles' matches vs. Eastern Kentucky and South Carolina will be part of Camper Appreciation Weekend. Those who attended any of Winthrop's team camps over the summer will get in free to both matches. In addition, the post-match after the South Carolina contest will feature an autograph session.
 
WATCH THE EAGLES ON ESPN+
All but one of the home games during the 2023 season will air live on ESPN+. You can also catch select road games in Big South Conference play on ESPN+. To watch Big South games on ESPN+ you must have a subscription to ESPN+. For more information on how to subscribe, click here.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The Eagles begin conference play next Saturday with a road trip to Gardner-Webb at 4 p.m.
 
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
To keep up with the latest news on the Winthrop volleyball program follow the Eagles on Twitter (@WinthropVolley), Instagram (@winthropvolleyball) and Facebook (/winthropvolleyball).