ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Sitting within three points of a straight-set sweep, the Winthrop University volleyball team had the longest home win streak in the Big South snapped by USC Upstate, 3-2, on Friday night in the Winthrop Coliseum
Rachel McCollum tallied her second triple-double of the season with
Avery Jolley following behind with a 21-kill performance, but the efforts were not enough.
Top Performers
Kills - Avery Jolley (21),
Paige Bennett (20),
Rachel McCollum (12)
Aces - Rachel McCollum (2),
Paige Bennett (2),
Addison Torain (1)
Blocks - Avery Jolley (6),
Teagan Sychterz (5),
Rachel McCollum (3)
Assists - Rachel McCollum (56),
Sophia Matthews (4),
Addison Torain (4)
Digs - Sophia Matthews (31),
Addison Torain (25),
Rachel McCollum (19)
Game Recap
Set 1
- Winthrop opened 3-0 on two kills by Avery Jolley and a kill from Rachel McCollum.
- USC Upstate took five of the next six to lead 5-3, before Jolley tied it 5-5 and the Eagles pushed to 7-5.
- An Addison Torain ace and Paige Bennett kills helped stretch it to 18-11, then 21-15.
- Jolley put Winthrop on set point, 24-17, and Teagan Sychterz & Jolley sealed it, 25-17.
Set 2
- McCollum set Jolley, Bennett, and Sychterz for an early 3-1 edge.
- Upstate answered with forcing three straight attack errors, taking a 6-4 lead.
- Bennett sparked a late push to 20-16 with four kills in the run
- Down the stretch Jolley cashed in on two kills as McCollum put Winthrop up 24-23 and then aced set point, 25-23.
Set 3
- USC Upstate opened 3-0 on a Haneline kill and two Winthrop attack errors before Little's kill and a bad set cut it to 3-2.
- Winthrop surged in front, 13-9, behind Bennett and McCollum with Little adding a kill during a 4-1 stretch.
- The Eagles pushed it to 22-14 on a Sychterz kill, a Jolley & Sychterz combo block, McCollum's ace and a KeAra Bowen block.
- Upstate closed on a 10-1 run, two Campbell aces and multiple Winthrop errors, to win 25-23, forcing a fourth set.
Set 4
- Jolley put Winthrop on the board, and Bowen and Bennett helped build a 6-3 cushion.
- The Eagles extended their leads to 14-12 and 17-13 with Little and McCollum finishing rallies.
- Bennett's service ace stretched it to 22-17 after an Upstate error.
- Upstate clawed back to 24-24 on miscues, attack errors and a bad set, then sealed it 28-26 on a Haneline kill and a Bennett attack error.
Set 5
- Upstate jumped ahead 6-3, but Winthrop steadied and tied it 7-7 on Alyah Cadavid's set to Jolley. 
- The Spartans surged to 13-8 behind O'Grady and Haneline, plus a service ace. 
- Winthrop ripped off five straight to 13-13, Bennett's ace and two blocks (Sydney Nolan & McCollum; Jolley & Nolan) fueled the push. 
- Haneline finished it with back-to-back kills for a 15-13 Upstate set and the reverse sweep.
NEXT UP
The Eagles are back in action tomorrow for their Dig Pink/Breast Cancer Awareness match against UNC Asheville at 5:00 p.m.
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