ROCK HILL, S.C. -- The Winthrop University volleyball team defeated N.C. Central, 3-0, at home on Saturday.
KeAra Bowen delivered 14 kills on .458 hitting, while
Paige Bennett added 12 kills and three service aces, and
Lexi Thatcher dished out 30 assists.
Winthrop achieved a season-high hitting percentage of .333 in the game.
KeAra Bowen was named MVP of the tournament, with Bennett and Thatcher joining her on the All-Tournament team.
Top Performers
Kills - Bowen (14), Bennett (12),
Giselle Little (9) Â
Aces - Bennett (3), Thatcher (2) Â
Blocks - Little (4), Bowen (3), Thatcher (2) Â
Assists - Thatcher (30),
Addison Torain (5) Â
Digs - Torain (11), Bennett (7), Thatcher (8)
Set 1
- The opening set stayed close through a 3-3 tie before Winthrop moved ahead on Bennett's service ace and a Thatcher kill. Â
- Reece Rhoads and Bowen combined for three kills to extend the lead to 10-5. Â
- An NCCU attack error handed Winthrop the serve at 11-6, and Alyah Cadavid served out the set with 14 straight points, including an ace, multiple kills, and blocks, to close it at 25-6.
- Six points is the lowest allowed by the Eagles in a three-set match since 2022
Set 2
- The Eagles jumped to a 5-1 lead with kills from Bennett and Bowen. Â
- NCCU closed the gap to 13-10 following three consecutive points. Â
- Winthrop then pulled away, using a Bowen kill and four straight points to go up 18-11. Â
- Thatcher's service ace and three late NCCU errors sealed the 25-15 win.
Set 3
- Trailing 12-7, Bowen's two kills helped Winthrop pull within 12-10. Â
- The Eagles tied it at 13-13 with a block from Bennett and Little, taking the lead on an NCCU error. Â
- Little's successive kills and Bennett's ace extended the lead to 19-16. Â
- Although NCCU tied it multiple times, Bennett's kill and a final block from Little and Thatcher clinched the 25-23 victory.
NEXT UP
The Eagles travel to Boiling Springs, N.C., to face Gardner-Webb in the Big South Opener on Saturday at 4 p.m.
