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)
Aces – Bennett (3), Thatcher (2)
Blocks – Little (4), Bowen (3), Thatcher (2)
Assists – Thatcher (30), Addison Torain (5)
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.
- Reece Rhoads and Bowen combined for three kills to extend the lead to 10-5.
- 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.
- NCCU closed the gap to 13-10 following three consecutive points.
- Winthrop then pulled away, using a Bowen kill and four straight points to go up 18-11.
- 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.
- The Eagles tied it at 13-13 with a block from Bennett and Little, taking the lead on an NCCU error.
- Little’s successive kills and Bennett’s ace extended the lead to 19-16.
- 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.
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.
