FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Katie Parker, kparker@uscupstate.edu

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The USC Upstate volleyball team (3-4) defeated UNC Asheville 3-1 Tuesday night by scores of 25-20, 20-25, 30-28 and 25-15 for the squad's 2012 home-opener inside the Hodge Center.

Upstate managed to hold on the extended third set, claiming the 30-28 win and gaining the momentum with a 2-1 lead. The largest lead during the third set was never more than three points and that only occurred, when Asheville took an early 7-4 advantage. The Spartans answered the three-point deficit with three-straight kills, tying things up at 7-7.

Back-to-back Upstate kills from senior Mindy Quimby (Keenesburg, Colo.) and sophomore Kayla McAvoy (Boiling Springs, S.C.) ended the point-exchange contest in the third set as the Spartans picked up a 30-28 victory. Upstate finished the job in the fourth set, downing the Bulldogs 25-15.

"What an electric night at the Hodge Center," said Upstate head coach Jennifer Calloway. "The team had a lot of fun playing in front of an enthusiastic crowd."

 The Spartans were led by a trio of double-doubles courtesy of freshman Kayla Eversgerd (Breese, Ill.), McAvoy and senior Emily Sanders (Sullivan, Ill.). The double-double was Eversgerd's second of the season as she posted a match-high and season-high 20 kills to go along with another match-high and career-best 23 digs.

McAvoy also added her second double-double of the 2012 campaign with a pair of personal-bests, collecting 18 kills and 12 digs. Sanders handed out 50 assists for Upstate, while scooping up 21 digs to record her fifth double-double on year. The 50 helpers is the setter's most so far this season.

"I'm proud of our team," Calloway said. "The mix of our veterans and many freshmen taking the court tonight was encouraging. I was proud of their overall hustle and execution."

The Bulldogs were led by a pair of double-doubles as Katie Davis anchored Asheville's offense, dishing out 45 assists to go along with 10 digs. Holly Shelton posted a team-high 15 kills for UNCA and 12 digs. Anna Moore and Meredith Foster had double-digit kill performances for Asheville, registering 13 and 10 kills, respectively.

Asheville's Rachel Wells recorded a team-high 19 digs, while Bryn Pfeiffer and Alex Stewart each added 17 digs. Moore amassed a match-best six total blocks, while Chelsie Kenley collected four rejections for the Bulldogs.

Upstate was helped by the senior duo of Quimby and Emily Bingham (St. Petersburg, Fla.). Quimby totaled 11 kills and three assists, while Bingham contributed 10 kills and four total blocks.

Junior Morgan Page (Woodstock, Ga.) was also a factor for the Spartans, posting 19 digs and four assists. Upstate freshman Lexi Gober (Edwardsville, Ill.) attributed to 17 digs and two service aces.  

The Spartans return to action Friday, traveling to the Windy City for three matches at Loyola-Chicago's Rambler Challenge. Upstate faces DePaul and tournament host Loyola Friday at noon and 8 p.m., respectively. The Spartans close-out the tournament Saturday, taking on Chicago State at noon.  

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