DAVIDSON, N.C. -- The Winthrop University volleyball team fell to Davidson College in a tense five-set match at John M. Belk Arena on Friday night, with a final score of 3-2. Paige Bennett fired off a new career-high with 22 kills and added 12 digs, while Teagan Sychterz contributed nine kills and six block assists, and Addison Torain tallied 22 digs.

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Top Performers

Kills - Paige Bennett (22), Teagan Sychterz (9), Laila Glover (9)  
Aces - Paige Bennett (3), Alyah Cadavid (2), Addison Torrain (2)
Blocks - Teagan Sychterz (6), Trabrece Marbley (3), Laila Glover (2)  
Assists - Cami Roberts (38), Lexi Thatcher (14), Alyah Cadavid (6), Addison Torain (6)  
Digs - Addison Torain (22), Paige Bennett (12), Teagan Sychterz (5)

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Set 1  

• The opening set saw Davidson take an early lead, capitalizing on a service ace by Kinsey Smith. 
• Winthrop responded with Paige Bennett's kills, narrowing the gap to 5-4. 
• Teagan Sychterz and Trabrece Marbley combined for a block, tying the score at 6-6.
• Late in the set, Davidson's Meile Songaila delivered a decisive kill to push its lead to 24-21. 
• Though Bennett managed another point for Winthrop, Davidson sealed the set 25-22 with a final kill by Ariyana Johnson.

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Set 2

• Winthrop clawed back with a decisive 25-21 victory in the second set. 
• Bennett played a pivotal role, securing multiple kills and service aces, including one that pushed the score to 9-3. 
• Sychterz contributed with crucial kills, including the set-winning point assisted by Alyah Cadavid.

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Set 3

• Davidson secured a commanding lead early in the third set, bringing the score to 5-1.
• Winthrop managed to narrow the gap to 8-6, but Davidson responded with consistent scoring, extending its lead to 14-8. 
• Despite a late push from Winthrop, Davidson maintained its advantage and closed the set at 25-15.

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Set 4

• Winthrop roared back in the fourth set with a 25-18 margin. 
• Laila Glover and Bennett were instrumental, each contributing multiple kills. 
• Cadavid's service ace at 4-3 shifted the momentum, and Sychterz's consistent blocking and serving further extended their advantage.

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Set 5

• In a tense fifth set, Winthrop and Davidson exchanged leads multiple times, with the score often tied. Bennett delivered a service ace to bring the score to 14-12. 
• Davidson's Garcia-Guerrios and Harris responded with key kills. 
• Davidson clinched the set 18-16 after Garcia-Guerrios secured the final point.

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NEXT UP

The Eagles will play Wofford in the final game of the Davidson Invitational on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in Davidson, N.C.