ROCK HILL, S.C. — The Winthrop University volleyball team outlasted Old Dominion 3-2 on Saturday, securing a five-set victory at home. Paige Bennett hammered 22 kills on .378 hitting, tying her career-high, while Lexi Thatcher tallied 42 assists and 18 digs, and Maggie Czajka fired off five service aces.
Bennett was named the MVP for the Winthrop Invitational, while Thatcher and Czajka also joined her on the All-Tournament team.
Top Performers
Kills – Bennett (22), Reece Rhoads (10), Czajka (8)
Aces – Czajka (5), Addison Torain (4), Lindsay Langner (2)
Blocks – Rhoads (2), Bennett (1)
Assists – Thatcher (42), Torain (8)
Digs – Thatcher (18), Torain (15), Bennett (11)
Set 1
- The Eagles moved from a 1-1 tie to a 5-1 lead, with Thatcher and Bennett putting down kills.
- Old Dominion cut it to 5-3, but the Eagles extended their lead to 16-12 with sideouts and kills.
- Czajka, Rhoads, and Glover led a 5-1 push to 21-13.
- Sychterz’s kill and Torain’s ace finished the set at 25-16.
Set 2
- The Eagles responded to Old Dominion’s opening point to lead 3-1 with kills from Glover and Bennett.
- They pushed the margin to 10-3 before Old Dominion narrowed it to 15-10.
- A nine-out-of-10 point run, including two Torain aces, clinched the set, 25-12.
Set 3
- Sychterz scored first, but Old Dominion built an 8-3 lead.
- The Eagles closed to 14-13 before Old Dominion pulled away to 23-15.
- Bennett stopped the run briefly, but Old Dominion took the set 25-17.
Set 4
- Old Dominion jumped to a 7-1 lead before Bennett helped close the gap.
- The Eagles tied it at 21-21, but Old Dominion edged them out 25-23.
Set 5
- Old Dominion led 5-1, but Bennett and Langner helped tie it at 5-5.
- Czajka’s three aces gave the Eagles an 11-8 lead.
- After a close finish, Old Dominion’s rotation error handed the Eagles the set, 15-13.
NEXT UP
The Eagles travel to face Ohio State on Friday at 6 p.m. for the Sports Import Classic.
Story courtesy of Winthrop Athletics.
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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 Assistant 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.
