There were a few nervous moments early for the Washington volleyball team in the first round of the NCAA tournament, but the ending looked familiar.
The Huskies (25-6) won their opening-round match for the 18th consecutive year, defeating Winthrop in straight sets, 25-23, 25-10, 25-10 on Friday night at Alaska Airlines Arena.
The Huskies will play South Carolina, which beat Colorado State in the first match Friday, on Saturday at 7 p.m. for a spot in the Sweet 16.
The visiting Eagles (24-5) were smaller than the Huskies, but it was evident right away that the Big South Conference champs were not intimated, leading much of the first set.