BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell (11-8, 6-1) defeated Winthrop (10-7, 5-2) in four sets Tuesday night in Gore Arena to claim sole possession of second place in the Big South.
 
The sides split the first two sets before Campbell collected wins in both the third and fourth sets to put the Eagles away.
 
"I'm really happy of how we took care of Winthrop tonight," head coach Greg Goral said. "It's a big match, the only time we see them this season, and to come out on top and have sole possession of second is a big deal as we get into the later part of the season."
 
The Camels were overpowering in the opening set of the night, holding Winthrop to .028 in the first set. Campbell at 15 kills in the first while the Eagles had just eight. Hailey Wilson was a perfect 4-4 hitting in the first set to pace the Camels to a 25-14 win.
 
Winthrop battled back in the second set to even the score with a narrow 25-23 win. Campbell led the frame at 17-13, but a 4-0 Eagle run even things up. Later at 21-20, Winthrop had another 4-0 run to put them in front for good. Campbell still had more kills, but committed too many errors in the second set to win it.
 
The Camels' efficiency was much better in the third set, hitting .357 in the frame, the highest of the night for either side. Colla and Green both had four kills and Campbell committed just four errors as a team en route to a 25-16 win. Madee Miner served three aces in a row as part of a 7-0 Campbell run to end the set.
 
Green closed the match strong with five kills in the fourth set, including the final two points, to put the match away. The Camels trailed 12-11 before a 5-0 run put the Camels ahead for good. Campbell forced a handful of Winthrop errors in the fourth set.
 
"We served and passed really well, and that's a big key to most wins," Goral said. "We spread the ball around really well. Both Hailey and Mel [Paige] hit efficiently and that's the kind of match we need from Hailey when they take Melody away from us. I thought our pins were really good too."
 
Wilson posted a season-best 10 kills with just one error, good for a .500 hitting percentage on the evening. She also had a hand in four blocks on the night.
 
Green paced all players with 17 kills, while Colla finished in double-figures for the sixth straight match with 11 kills. Madee Miner dished out 26 assists and Emily Mitter notched a double-double for the third straight night. Claranne Fechter had a match-high 16 digs.
 
The Eagles were led by Morgan Bossler with 15 kills and Jana Owens picking up 34 assists.
 
Campbell goes back on the road for their next match, slated for Saturday at 2 p.m. at Gardner-Webb.