Winthrop Volleyball Downs Dartmouth, Falls to Akron at WVU Invitational

MORGANTOWN, WV – The Winthrop volleyball team split two matches Saturday at the WVU Invitational, downing Dartmouth and falling to Akron.

The Eagles are now 7-7 on the season and will open conference play Tuesday, hosting the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs at 7 p.m.

In the first match of the day against Dartmouth, Winthrop led from the onset of the first set, winning 25-21.  Dartmouth rebounded in the second set, also leading throughout, winning 25-18.

The third set was a back-and-forth battle through the first 32 points as the two sides were tied 16-16.  The Eagles then used a 7-2 run, to take 23-18 and going onto win 25-21.  The Eagles took an early lead in the fourth set only to see Dartmouth make a comeback.  Dartmouth had an opportunity to win the set at 24-23 but the Eagles took the final three points to win 26-24.

Emma Weakland led the Eagles with 11 kills while Keaupono Fey added 10.  Hannah Lackey recorded a double-double with 19 assists and tied for the team lead with 12 digs with Carlie Skelton and Alexis Rudnik.

Against the Zips, Akron jumped out to an early lead in the first set, leading by as much as five. Winthrop made multiple runs at the Zips but were unable to gain a lead.  Akron won the first set 25-20.

The two sides had a solid battle in the second set with neither team able to gain much of an advantage.   With the score tied 20-20, Akron closed the set on a 5-2 run to win 25-22.

Another back-and-forth battle ensued in the third-set.  Winthrop looked primed to extend the match, up 24-22, but Akron took four straight points to win the set 26-24 and take the match.

Keaupono Fey recorded a match-high 14 kills and Hannah Lackey finished with 16 assists.  Carlie Skelton led the team with 14 dugs.