Box Score FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Katie Parker, kparker@uscupstate.edu
Box Score (PDF)
SAVANNAH, Ga. – The USC Upstate volleyball team (12-17, 6-10 A-Sun) defeated Savannah State (0-32) 3-1 Thursday night by scores of 25-15, 25-13, 26-24 and 25-11 as the Spartans picked-up their 12th win of the season, the most season victories in the program's Division I era.
The win gave Upstate its most victories since the 2006 season, when the team went 23-11. The 2006 season was the Spartans' last year as a Division II member. Upstate joined the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2007 and beginning the D-I transition.
In the 3-1 win over Savannah State, the Spartans were led by freshman Kayla Eversgerd (Breese, Ill.) with a match-high 12 kills to go along with six digs. Sophomore Kayla McAvoy (Boiling Springs, S.C.) was second on the Upstate squad, tallying 10 kills, while posting four total blocks including one solo rejection.
Upstate freshman Shannon Weiss (Highland, Ill.) helped both defensively and offensively, recording seven kills, 12 digs and a match-high five blocks. Freshman Jaina Jackson (Huntley, Ill.) and senior Mindy Quimby (Keenesburg, Colo.) both registered six kills for the Spartans, while Jackson added four total blocks and three service aces.
Freshman Lexi Gober (Edwardsville, Ill.) anchored the Upstate offense, handing out 39 assists to go along with nine digs. She also recorded four kills on the night. Senior Emily Sanders (Sullivan, Ill.) collected a team-high 14 digs. Junior Morgan Page (Woodstock, Ga.) helped with four digs, while Quimby added three.
Savannah State's losing-streak extended to 60 matches with the 3-1 loss. The Tigers were led by Jasmine Waite and Bryana Gadis, tallying eight kills each. Ashlee Butler and Asiha Williams split the setting duties for SSU as Butler dished out 18 assists and Williams gave out 13. Kaneisha Hamilton led the Tiger defensive effort, scooping up a match-high 20 digs.
The Spartans return to A-Sun action Friday, traveling to Jacksonville for a 7 p.m. contest. Follow Upstate volleyball this season on your mobile device, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
