ROCK HILL, S.C. -- The Winthrop University volleyball team looks to put the past weekend behind them and get back into the win column, traveling west to Greenville for the Furman Invite against North Florida, Alabama State, and finally hosts Furman for a three-day showdown.Â
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SERIES HISTORY VS NORTH FLORIDAÂ
This will mark the fourth time these two have faced off on the court, with the Eagles holding a slight margin over the Ospreys, 2-1. The first ever match between Winthrop and North Florida happened on Sept. 10, 2005, in Rock Hill, seeing the Eagles sweep in straight sets. The last match occurred in 2018, at the Rocky Top Invitational in Knoxville, where the Ospreys pushed the Eagles to five sets, seeing Winthrop come out on top, 3-2.Â
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SERIES HISTORY VS ALABAMA STATEÂ
Winthrop and Alabama State have faced each other just once in program history, last season at the Bash in the 'Boro Invitational, with the Eaglse topping the Hornets in straight sets.Â
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SERIES HISTORY VS FURMANÂ
This will be the 43rd meeting between the Eagles and Paladins, with the first bout coming in 1977, Winthrop claimed a 2-0 victory over Furman. To find the most recent match you must look at last decade, where the Eagles welcomed in the Paladins to Rock Hill in 2019, and took down Furman in four sets to remain undefeated at home. Now Athletic Director Chuck Rey was also the coach of the Eagles at the time.Â
FOOT NOTES Â
- First time since 2019 that Winthrop is 2-0 to start the yearÂ
- The last time that Winthrop beat Furman was 2019, in which the team went undefeated in conference play, winning the Big South Tournament Â
- Winthrop is one of the best teams in the Big South when it comes to hitting percentage, ranking second in the conference behind USC Upstate with a .211 markÂ
- Avery Jolley continues to lead the charge for the Eagles, ranking second in the conference with 11.00 attacks per set, fifth in total attacks with 231 attacks and seventh in kills per set at a mark of 2.71.Â
- Paige Bennett totaled a career-high 21 kills against Charlotte on Aug. 30, with a .528 hitting percentage Â
- Isabella Murray sits at 2,956 career assists, ranking seventh in program history Â
- Winthrop opens the year as ranked as preseason number one in the 2025 Big South preseason poll  Â
- First time atop of the Big South poll since 2007 Â Â
- The Eagles returns all its top contributors in the categories of kills (Avery Jolley, 320), assists (Isabella Murray, 963), digs (Sophia Matthews, 397), and blocks (Maeve Rehmann, 58) Â Â
- 81.5% of total kills remain rostered for 2025 Â Â
- 81% of total digs are back for the 2025 seasonÂ
- Last year, Eagles ranked third in the nation in digs per set, 18.84Â
- Eagles return 10 players from last year's roster, which includes  Â
- Seven of the top eight Eagles in sets played are back in 2025 Â Â
- Isabella Murray played all 91 sets for the Eagles last year  Â
- Murray was tabbed as the 2024 Big South Setter of the Year  Â
- Rachel McCollum appeared in all but one set (90) for the Eagles, named to 2024 Big South All-Tournament Team  Â
- Jolley earned First Team All-Conference honors and earned the Big South Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year (first time since Pohai Nu'uhiwa did so in 2007) Â Â
- Giselle Little showcased elite efficiency in her freshman year,144 kills on just 397 swings (.374) Â Â
- Little was listed on the Honorable Mention All-Conference and was named to the Big South All-Freshman Team  Â
- Sophia Matthews led the Eagles in digs in her as a freshman, 397 Â Â
- Matthews earned Big South All-Freshman Team and was named on the Big South All-Tournament Team  Â
- Alyah Cadavid is fourth amongst returners in digs with 147 Â Â
- Maeve Rehmann and Paige Bennett round out the standout returners on the offensive side with 116 and 112, respectfully  Â
- The Eagles have made the Big South postseason tournament for the last seven years  Â
- Winthrop has six conference titles, tied for second most in Big South history and tied for the most of all active Big South members (Tied with Radford) Â Â
- This is the 54th season of Eagle Volleyball, with these three matches being the 1835th, 1836th and 1837th matches  Â
- Heather Gearhart enters her fourth season, one as an interim head coach and the last three as head coach  Â
- Gearhart sits at 48 wins, two away from 50 career victories Â
- Winthrop holds an 1091-743 record all-time (.595)Â
2025 HONORSÂ
- Avery Jolley
- Big South Preseason Player of the Year
- Preseason All-Conference
- Winthrop Invitational All-Tournament Team
- Isabella Murray
- Big South Preseason Setter of the Year
- Preseason All-Conference
- Sophia MatthewsÂ
- Big South Preseason Co-Libero of the Year
- Preseason All-Conference
- Giselle LittleÂ
- Paige Bennett
- Winthrop Invitational All-Tournament Team
ALUMNI WEEKEND
All former players, coaches, and staff members of the Winthrop volleyball program are invited for Alumni Weekend Oct. 24. The Eagles will have a home match on Friday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. versus Radford.
SEASON TICKETS
Lock in your seat for every serve, spike and set this season! Winthrop Volleyball season tickets are now on sale. Don't miss a single home match inside the Winthrop Coliseum as the Eagles take flight in 2025. Secure your spot today and be part of the action all season long.Â
Purchase Here!
BE A BALLRUNNER FOR WINTHROP VOLLEYBALL MATCHES
Interested in getting closer to the action of college volleyball? Winthrop Volleyball is looking for ball runners to help at home matches in 2025 and beyond. Become a ball runner for official games and be a part of our game day experience. Sign up as an individual or register an entire team/club to assist at a match and help keep play moving as ball runners. Open to students in grades 3rd through 8th. If interested please fill out theÂ
ONLINE FORM.
JOIN THE EAGLE CLUB
The Eagle Club is the official fundraising arm of Winthrop Athletics. Your generosity directly supports Winthrop Athletics and helps provide our student-athletes with the resources they need to succeed on and off the field. From facility upgrades and enhanced game-day experiences to scholarships, equipment, travel, and academic support, every dollar makes a difference.
By investing in the Eagle Club, you're helping us build a stronger future for Winthrop Athletics—one that prioritizes excellence, opportunity, and a championship culture.
Whether you're an alum, parent, fan, or community member, your support fuels our success. For more information or to become a member,Â
CLICK HERE.
UP NEXT
Winthrop heads to Knoxville for a three-game slate against Samford, Wofford, and being rounded out by the home squad Tennessee on Sept. 4 & 5th.
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