High Point's volleyball team dropped a tough three-game match to defending Big South champion Winthrop Tuesday night at the Winthrop Coliseum. The line score was 30-19, 30-21, 33-31.

The Eagles opened Big South Conference play with a win and improved to 11-7 (1-0), while the Panthers fell to 5-16, 0-3.

WU's margin of victory was deceptive, as the Eagles were pressed in all three games. The teams were knotted at 19-19 in game one before the Eagles won the final 11 points and took a 1-0 lead.

The second game was very similar until another late Winthrop run proved decisive.

Following intermission, High Point nearly won the third game as the Panthers forced Winthrop to the wire and beyond before game-winning kill gave the Eagles a 33-31 win. High Point took its first lead of the night in the third game at 9-8 and led by as many as three points at 21-18 and 22-19 before Winthrop made its comeback.

Lindsey Pickens led HPU with 13 kills and 10 digs, while Kamarsha Ryan added nine kills. Kim Anderson and Heather Butt added 10 digs apiece, and Butt also provided 31 assists.

Lindsey Remmers had a game-high 15 kills for the Eagles.

HPU plays host to Birmingham-Southern Saturday in its Big South home-opener. First serve in the Millis Center is set for 5:00 pm.