Winthrop Volleyball

When someone asks you what your favorite sport team is they probably would not expect to hear Winthrop Volleyball.  However, that is the answer for me.  Go Eagles! The Winthrop volleyball program came into my life in early March in 2012 when my sister got a phone call. My sister, Emma Weakland was a junior in high school at the time.  She had been playing volleyball for as long as I can remember and this was the day she had been dreaming about for so long.  After years of hard work and competition my younger sister got the call that even I will remember for the rest of my life. She answered the phone call from the head volleyball coach at Winthrop University, her dream school.  After a little small talk she was informed that Winthrop was offering her a full scholarship to attend the university to play volleyball.  It was the most proud moment of my life. Ever since that day in March I became a fan of the program. Not many people have heard of the Winthrop Eagles in Pennsylvania so this blog goes out to them!

It was an up and down season for the Eagles. They finished the year with a 17-15 record and a 6 seed in the Big South Conference tournament.  A season I would take given the circumstances. The eagles were lead by first year coach Bruce Atkinson. He lead a very young team comprised mainly of freshman and sophomores with only two seniors on the roster. The Eagles were so inexperienced that they only had one player returning from the previous season in sophomore middle Rachel Lenz. Another bright spot on the season was the play of junior setter Jessie Vicic who set the Big South Conference record for assists in a season at 1,355.  I am also proud to say that my sister started some games as a freshman at the opposite position and played very well! The outlook for next year looks great! With nearly all starters returning the young team will turn into an experienced and very talented team. I look forward to next year with great anticipation and expect the Eagles to finish among the top in the Big South. Go Eagles!