Sept. 20, 2008

Final Stats

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Sophomore Sandra Campbell (Orlando, Fla./Pilot Point (Texas)) posted nine kills and four blocks, but it wasn't enough to hold of a hot-hitting Jacksonville, as the USC Upstate volleyball team fell to the Dolphins, 3-0 (25-22, 25-12, 25-23) at the Hodge Center on Saturday afternoon.

The Spartans (3-9 overall, 1-4 A-Sun) jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the first set, riding kills from Campbell and senior Jovana Lubura (Belgrade, Serbia/New Mexico Military Institute) to take the early lead. However, the Dolphins fought back with a 7-2 run to come within one point. Upstate was able to hold off the Dolphins by getting two points off the serve of freshman Jane Hawryliw (North Battleford, Sasketchewan/North Battleford), but the Dolphins finally tied the match at 20 and took the lead on the next point, taking advantage of two Spartan attack errors. From there, two kills by Sara Bendorf and one from Nicki Kent closed the set.

A kill from freshman Kelsie Queen (Blythewood, S.C./Ridge View) tied the second set at seven, but the Dolphins reeled off eight straight points to take a 15-7 lead and cruise to a 25-12 win.

The third set was again evenly matched, with a kill from Campbell giving Upstate a 14-12 lead. The Dolphins fought back to tie the set at 15 and from there ties ensued at 16, 17, and 18. A kill from Campbell and two Dolphin attack errors gave Upstate a three-point lead, but a kill from Brittany Lehman and two Dolphin blocks tilted control back to Jacksonville, who took a 23-22 lead. Kills from Kathryn Kane and Bendorf ended the match.

Lubura, sophomore Megan Healey (St. Louis, Mo./Ursuline Academy) and senior Holly Mauldin (Columbia, S.C./Irmo) posted seven digs and both Hawryliw and Queen had five kills. Mauldin led the Spartans with 21 assists and senior Tijana Knezevic (Indija, Serbia/New Mexico Military Institute) added five digs.

Bendorf posted 17 kills and 10 digs and Aidan Yeager added nine kills and three blocks to lead the Dolphins. Abby Gruenbacker posted 22 assists and Hannah Munneke added 19. Both Guenbacher and Brittany Lehman added four blocks.

The Spartans stay in the Hodge Center, but step out of conference play, as they host Presbyterian at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.