ROCK HILL S.C.: The Lady Bucs opened Big South Conference play in Rock Hill S.C., losing to Winthrop (25-19, 23-25, 25-13, 25-16) on Sep. 23.

Although CSU got the L, Ashley Higginbothem continued her impressive streak of games with double-digit digs; her 22 against the Eagles extended the streak to 11. Amy Nokes continued her solid play notching a double-double, for the match she totaled 24 assists and 10 digs. Sydney Tracy led the way in kills; she had 11 on 33 total attacks. For the match CSU had 37 kills on 142 total attacks, 35 assists, 64 digs, and nine total blocks.

WINTHROP (8-5) was led by Becca Toor who knocked in 26 kills on 42 total attempts (.476). It was a team effort defensively as four Eagles record 10+ digs; Catherine Brusie(22), Carly Debruhl (13), Kristen Cruse (13), and Lauren Landsman (13). As a team, Winthrop had 66 kills on 165 total attacks, 57 assists, and 77 digs.

The first set saw numerous lead changes and ties; the match was knotted at 3-3, 6-6, 8-8, and 10-10 before an Eagle error gave CSU the slim 11-10 advantage. That would be the closest The Lady Bucs would get as Winthrop would close out the first set 25-19. Ashley Higginbothem had eight digs while Sydney Tracy and Kayla Klinger both recorded two kills. CSU totaled eight kills in comparison to Winthrop's 18.

Although Winthrop hopped out to an early 9-4 lead, the Lady Bucs were unfazed as they would slowly begin to chip away at the deficit. Wynter Davis would bring CSU all the back with a kill to tie the set at 18-18. Davis and Syndey Tracy would each have a kill to put CSU up 21-19. Although Winthrop would attempt a late-game comeback, Syndey Tracy would shut the door with a set-winning kill to give CSU the 25-23 victory. Sydney Tracy had six kills and Kayla Klinger and Ashley Higginbothem both recorded five digs. CSU had 14 kills to the Eagles 16.

The final two sets saw CSU struggle with errors and lose the kill count 15-32. In the last two matches Syndey Tracy led the way in kills with three while Ashley Higginbothem added nine digs. Winthrop would hit from .368 in the third set to defeat CSU 25-13, and .195 to end the game 25-16.

CSU will hit the road to take on Presbyterian at 2 p.m. Sep. 24.