GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The Winthrop University volleyball team celebrated a milestone night at the Furman Invitational, as head coach Heather Gearhart earned her 50th career victory and setter Rachel McCollum delivered the program's first triple-double since 2012, guiding the Eagles to a four-set win over Alabama State. 

Winthrop (3-4, 0-0 Big South), Alabama State (0-8, 0-0 SWAC)  
Sept. 12, 2025 | Greenville, S.C. | Alley Gymnasium  
Winthrop 3, Alabama State (25-23, 25-16, 20-25, 27-25) 

Top Performers 

Kills - Rachel McCollum (16), Avery Jolley (14), Giselle Little (12) 

Aces - Rachel McCollum (2), Sophia Matthews (2), Addison Torain (2) 

Blocks - Giselle Little (4), Teagan Sychterz,  (3), Avery Jolley (2) 

Assists - Isabella Murray (29), Rachel McCollum (23), Sophia Matthews (2) 

Digs - Sophia Matthews (11), Avery Jolley (10), Rachel McCollum (10) 

Game Recap 

Set 1 

• Avery Jolley had the Eagles off to a scorching hot start, netting five of the first six points by herself off kills alone 
• Winthrop forced the Hornets into their worst hitting performance of the match, 0.089 
• Both teams ended up trading blows, with Alabama State swinging the tides to take the lead at 17-14. 
• Eagles clawed back, Sophia Matthews served an ace for set point, and an Alabama State error ended it 

Set 2 

• Eagles turned in their most efficient performance of the day, 14 kills with just three errors 
• Winthrop seized control behind serve pressure and McCollum's distribution of kills and assists 
• Squads were trading points, till the match sat at 18-14, seeing the Eagles take seven of the next nine points for the set victory 

Set 3 

• The Hornets flipped momentum with their block and a Williams-led push, outscoring Winthrop during a mid-set 6–0 swing. 
• Alabama State sat seven points ahead at a mark of 14-7 mid set. 
• Eagles hit .000 (ten kills, ten errors) as Alabama State tallied 4 blocks to extend the match 

Set 4 

• The final set saw eleven ties and five lead changes in a tight finish 
• Down 24–23, Winthrop saved two set points on a Teagan Sychterz kill and a Jolley block 
• The Eagles survived another tie at 25, then closed on Jolley's kill and a Laila Glover winner from McCollum 

NEXT GAME
Eagles look to sweep the weekend tomorrow, taking on host's Furman at 2:00 p.m.