The Winthrop University volleyball team rallied to defeat Charleston Southern 3-2 Friday night in the Eagles’ home Big South Conference opener at Winthrop Coliseum.
Winthrop improved to 6-5 overall and 2-0 in conference play after winning the decisive fifth set 15-10. Charleston Southern fell to 8-7 overall and 0-2 in the Big South.
Giselle Little delivered a career-high 16 kills to lead the Eagles, while Paige Bennett added 15 kills and Reece Rhoads finished with 13. Lexi Thatcher recorded a season-high 50 assists and 11 digs.
After dropping the opening set 25-18, Winthrop rallied to take the second set 25-23. Charleston Southern answered with a 25-20 victory in the third, but the Eagles dominated the fourth set 25-18 to force a deciding fifth set.
Winthrop trailed 2-1 early in the final set before taking control. The Eagles moved ahead 8-6 on a Rhoads kill and never relinquished the lead. Bennett’s kill put Winthrop at match point before a Charleston Southern attack error sealed the victory.
Teagan Sychterz continued her strong defensive play with seven blocks, marking her second consecutive match with at least seven blocks. Bennett added three aces, while Addison Torain recorded 16 digs.
Winthrop will close its homestand Saturday against Presbyterian at 4 p.m. at Winthrop Coliseum.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Associate Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
