Rock Hill, S.C. -- The Winthrop University volleyball stayed composed and took down Charlotte in five sets Saturday evening at the Winthrop Coliseum. Sophomore Paige Bennett recorded a new career high in kills at 21 and was named to the All-Tournament team alongside senior Avery Jolley.
Winthrop (2-0, 0-0 Big South) | Charlotte (0-2, 0-0 American)
Aug. 30, 2025 | Winthrop Coliseum
Winthrop 3, Charlotte 2 (25-21, 19-25, 26-24, 22-25, 15-10)

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Top Performers
Kills -- Paige Bennett (21), Giselle Little (13), Avery Jolley (11)
Assists -- Rachel McCollum (42)
Digs -- Addison Torain (14), Paige Bennett (13), Sophia Matthews (12)
Blocks -- Paige Bennett (4), Giselle Little (4)

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Game Recap
Set 1

• Winthrop and Charlotte started the match in a heated back-and-forth battle with neither team taking an assertive lead
• Winthrop gained momentum to take a 17-13 lead over the 49ers
• Charlotte clawed their way back to get within three, but the Eagles took care of business in set one, 25-21
• Paige Bennett and Giselle Little lead the team with four kills each

Set 2

• Charlotte started set two strong, jumping to a 10-3 lead
• The Eagles fought their way back to get within three before a Charlotte timeout
• The 49ers took set two, 25-19

Set 3

• Winthrop struck first courtesy of a Little kill and continued their momentum to start the set 3-0
• The Eagles extended their lead to six, but Charlotte fought back to tie the set at twelve
• Both teams traded points, with neither team able to pull away all the way to the 24 point mark
• Winthrop would rally to win the set, 26-24

Set 4

• Winthrop and Charlotte traded points to start set four again, with neither team able to put distance on the other
• Charlotte took advantage of a momentum swing to claim set four, 25-22

Set 5

• Charlotte maintained a slight edge for the first half of set five, but still keeping the Eagles within striking distance
• Paige Bennett recorded her 17^th kill of the match, a new career high
• Winthrop kept their composure and chipped away at Charlotte's lead to 11-9, prompting a Charlotte timeout
• Paige Bennett continued her match dominance to record her 21^st kill of the evening
• Winthrop's grit down the stretch proved too much for Charlotte as the Eagles claim the fifth, 15-10

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Next Game
The Eagles will travel to Knoxville, Tenn. for a three game weekend where they will face Samford first at 4:00 p.m. on Sep. 4.

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