Winthrop

RADFORD, VA —Winthrop's volleyball team, the #3 seed lost a heartbreaking five-set match against the #6 seeded Charleston Southern Buccaneers (26-28, 25-13, 23-25, 25-12 and 14-16) on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Big South Tournament in Radford, VA. 

The Eagles are now 19-11 on the season and were 11-5 in league play.

Winthrop compiled 65 kills, a .201 hitting percentage, 85 digs and 24 block assists.

Junior Kellie Sellers (Allentown, PA) led the offense with 16 kills. Senior and Player of the Year Kelley Taylor (Tampa, FL) came in second with 14 kills. That was Taylor's last conference match as an Eagle. Sophomore Becca Toor (Rotonda West, FL) had 11 kills and an impressive .833 killing percentage. Junior Kelsey Hall (Berryton, KS) was the top defensive contributor with 19 digs; she also led in assists with 49.

"Physically and talent wise, we are a great team, but mentally we have not executed this season," Coach Sally Polhamus said. "Charleston Southern fought till 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 the 12-6 advantage, and the Eagles asked for a timeout. The Buccaneers increased the advantage 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 22-22. The Buccaneers had the first set point as they led 24-23, but Winthrop tied 24-24. 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 the 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 junior Kaley Viola (Orlando, FL) 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 22-22, then 23-23, but Charleston Southern ended up winning 25-23 in the third set.

The Eagles came back focused for the fourth set as they opened the 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, SC.