Although losses against Charleston Southern in the first two games of the 2021 season put the Eagles off to a rocky start, Winthrop Volleyball had a major comeback with two sweeps against USC Upstate on Feb. 11 and 12.
“I think the initial losses at Charleston Southern were a good wake up call to put us in the right mindset and attitude for the rest of the season. I believe it was better that the call was at the beginning of the season rather than in the middle,” Olivia Blackketter said.
A freshman from Bloomington, IN, which is home to Indiana University, Blackketter joined the Eagles as a middle blocker when she wanted to venture out farther than her college town home.
“Winthrop was farther than I first anticipated going, but I knew that the distance would force me to grow up a little and find myself. Coach Rey gave me the option to play volleyball here and I couldn’t pass it up,” Blackketter said.
After finishing the 2019 season undefeated in the Big South Conference and earning an overall record of 24-5, the Eagles were unable to compete for over a year due to the worldwide pandemic, so they were thrilled to finally welcome another team into the Coliseum.
Thursday’s game opened with Upstate taking the first point, but the Eagles quickly recovered and had a 7-3 lead by the first timeout. Having an eight consecutive point streak halfway through the game, the Eagles remained strong and defeated the Spartans 25-14.
Opening strong in the second match, the Eagles soon had a 21-10 lead. Blackketter made her collegiate debut with a kill, helping the Eagles quickly crush the Spartans 25-11.
Unlike the first two matches, Thursday’s third and final set was a constant exchange of points. Upstate gained a four–point lead; the Eagles tied it up, then Upstate took a two–point lead. Interrupted by four timeouts, the back–and–forth play continued until the end, where the Eagles won by only two points for a final score of 25-23.
Seniors Morgan Bossler and Nikkia Benitez dominated the court on Thursday with nine kills each, in addition to Bossler having three blocks and Benitez racking up 21 attacks. Sophomore Leah Metzger scooped up 16 digs, while freshman Brookelynn Thomas scored two aces.
The Eagles returned to rock the hill against Upstate on Friday, winning the first set 25-18. The second set was too close for comfort from the get-go, seeing seven ties and three lead changes throughout. Finally, the Eagles took the lead at 10-9 and maintained it until the end, 25-20.
The Eagles dominated the third match with an 18-9 lead. Even when the Spartans shortened the gap to 19-14, Winthrop successfully beat Upstate 25-18 with a winning kill from Blackketter.
Other notable contributions included Benitez with 11 kills, 33 attacks and 12 digs, Metzger with 21 digs and junior Jana Owens with 22 assists.
Entering college during a pandemic, Blackketter was “fully shell-shocked, homesick very often,” and disappointed at the lack of social gatherings to meet new people due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, with one semester under her belt, Blackketter feels more prepared to take on this spring season.
“This semester I came back to school after winter break with different expectations and a new mindset towards college and all it entails, and it helped me become better adjusted and more comfortable,” Blackketter said.
She is also looking forward to competing against UNC Asheville as she has a high school club teammate who plays for the Bulldogs. Aside from working to maintain a GPA of at least 3.7, Blackketter does not have any high expectations for this season as she knows this freshman year is filled with many “firsts.”
“This season I am looking to fulfill whatever role the team needs me to play and to play it well. I’m doing my best to give myself lots of grace during this time, but also holding myself accountable,” Blackketter said.
The Eagles’ next two series are home games beginning with back-to-back matches against Campbell on Feb. 27 at 4 p.m. and Feb. 28 at noon, then March 4 at 6 p.m. and March 5 at 2 p.m. against Gardner-Webb.
