No. 1 Winthrop Wins 2019 Volleyball Championship
Rock Hill, S.C. – No. 1 seed Winthrop swept No. 3 seed Campbell in the championship match (25-21, 25-23, 25-23) on Sunday, earning the program's sixth championship and first Big South crown for the Eagles since 2006.
Emily Wunder opened the first set with back to back kills, coupled with a stuff block from Nikkia Benitez, and the Eagles were up to a 3-0 start. Campbell's offense started firing and they tied the set, 8-8, then again 15-15 after trailing by four going into the media timeout. The Eagles managed to stay out in front of the Camels and reached set point after a Campbell error.
BOX SCORE
Campbell came out swinging in the second set and the Eagles struggled to find an answer. A kill from Makayla Doyle broke the Campbell scoring run, 11-6. A stuff block and a kill from Morgan Bossler brought the Eagles back within three, 13-10. Campbell continued to pull away but back to back attack errors from the Camels put the Eagles back within two, 22-20. The Eagles continued on a 7-1 run for the win.
The Eagles continued on their 7-1 theme and jumped to a 7-1 start in the third set, with 6 kills on 7 attempts. Despite their lead, Campbell was not letting the Eagles off easy, coming back within one point, 23-22. Emily Wunder put the icing on the cake with the match winning kill.
Nikkia Benitez led the Eagles with 12 kills and no errors for a .500 attacking percentage, and also picked up 11 digs. Morgan Bossler finished just behind Benitez, with 10 kills and three blocks. Tournament MVP Siani Yamaguchi finished with 36 assists and 10 digs.
All-Tournament Team
Siani Yamaguchi, Winthrop (MVP)
Morgan Bossler, Winthrop
Nikkia Benitez, Winthrop
Lailah Green, Campbell
Madee Miner, Campbell
Gabrielle Idlebird, High Point
Trinity Williams, Presbyterian College
With this win, the Eagles will advance to the NCAA Regionals. Location and opponent to be announced on December 1stat the NCAA Volleyball Selection Show at 8:30 p.m., on ESPNU.