Eagles bow out in first round of Big South tourney

From staff reports - From staff reports

RADFORD, Va. -- Winthrop's volleyball team lost a five-set match against Charleston Southern (26-28, 25-13, 23-25, 25-12 and 14-16) on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Big South tournament.

Winthrop (19-11, 11-5 Big South) compiled 65 kills, a .201 hitting percentage, 85 digs and 24 block assists.

Kellie Sellers led the offense with 16 kills. Kelley Taylor came in second with 14 kills. That was Taylor's last conference match as an Eagle. Sophomore Becca Toor had 11 kills and an .833 killing percentage. Kelsey Hall was the top defensive contributor with 19 digs; she also led in assists with 49.

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“Physically and talent wise, we are a great team, but mentally we have not executed this season,” Winthrop coach Sally Polhamus said. “Charleston Southern fought ‘til the last point. We made 10 unforced errors in the fifth set. It doesn't matter how talented you are. You will never win with that many unforced errors. Kelley Taylor had an excellent career as a Winthrop Eagle.”

Winthrop started the first set behind as Charleston Southern opened with a 12-6 advantage, and the Eagles asked for a timeout. The Buccaneers increased the lead to 16-9, but Winthrop won four points in a row, and Charleston Southern asked for a timeout. The Eagles kept fighting and eventually tied the set at 22. The Buccaneers had the first set point as they led 24-23, but Winthrop tied it at 24. The Eagles had one set point as they led 26-25, but Charleston Southern won the following three points, winning 28-26 in the first set.

In the second game, the Eagles started better as they opened a 9-5 lead, and Charleston Southern asked for a timeout. Winthrop kept strong and slightly increased its advantage over the Buccaneers to 15-10, and Charleston Southern asked for another timeout. The Eagles dominated the rest of the second set and closed it with a block assist by Kaley Viola and Toor, winning 25-13.

In the third set, both teams battled as they tied 10-10, but Charleston Southern gained the 14-10 lead, and Winthrop asked for a timeout. The Eagles got close as they were 17-19 behind, and the Buccaneers asked for a timeout. Winthrop eventually tied the set at 22, then 23, but Charleston Southern ended up winning 25-23 in the third set.

The Eagles came back focused for the fourth set as they opened a 5-0 lead, and the Buccaneers asked for a timeout. Winthrop kept the same rhythm as it increased its advantage over Charleston Southern to 7-0. Winthrop dominated the rest of the fourth set as it won 25-12, taking the decision to the fifth set.

Both teams started the fifth set with the determination to win as they exchanged the lead throughout the fifth game. Winthrop opened the 7-5 advantage, but the Buccaneers gained the 9-8 lead. The Eagles won two points in a row with two block assists and gained the 10-9 advantage. The teams then tied 13-13; Winthrop had the match point as it led 14-13, but the Buccaneers recovered to win 16-14 in the fifth and decisive set.

The Buccaneers compiled 51 kills, 75 digs and 48 assists. Amanda Hill led the offense with 14 kills.

The Eagles will be back in action for their last match of the season at 1 p.m. on Wednesday as they face College of Charleston in Charleston.

AWARDS — The Winthrop volleyball team received four awards Wednesday at the annual Big South Conference Awards Banquet.

Taylor was named the Big South Player of the Year. She also made the all-conference first team and the all-academic team. Going into Thursday's game, Taylor had compiled 341 kills, an average of 3.04 kills per set and a .366 hitting percentage. She leads the team in block assists with 71.

Viola was named to the second team. She has 359 kills and an average of 3.14 kills per set going into Thursday's game.