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Contact: Katie Parker, kparker@uscupstate.edu

Box Score (PDF)

CHICAGO – The USC Upstate volleyball team (4-6) shutout Chicago State (2-13) in three sets by scores of 25-14, 25-15 and 25-18 Saturday at the final day of the Rambler Challenge hosted by Loyola-Chicago.

The Spartans were led by freshman Kayla Eversgerd (Breese, Ill.) with 12 kills, while sophomore Kayla McAvoy (Boiling Springs, S.C.) recorded 11 kills. Senior Emily Sanders (Sullivan, Ill.) facilitated the Upstate offense, handing out 33 assists to go along with 11 digs. This was the setter's seventh double-double of the season.

Defensively, Upstate was led by sophomore Morgan Page (Woodstock, Ga.), scooping up 16 digs. Senior Mindy Quimby (Keenesburg, Colo.) contributed with 11 digs, while also adding six kills and two service aces. Freshmen Lexi Gober (Edwardsville, Ill.) and Eversgerd each posted eight digs on the day, while Gober also gave out five assists.

The Cougars were led by Paula Sioto and Angelica Brewer, dishing out 13 and 11 assists, respectively. Sioto also tallied five kills and six digs, while Brewer had three kills and seven digs. Alyssa Podwell recorded a team-high seven kills for Chicago State. She also had a match-high four blocks. Defensively, Mysta Townsell and Kimberly Linder paced the Cougars with 12 digs each.

Other noteworthy Spartans include senior Emily Bingham (St. Petersburg, Fla.) with six kills and a team-high three blocks. Upstate freshmen Shannon Weiss (Highland, Ill.) and Jaina Jackson (Huntley, Ill.) contributed four kills apiece.

The Loyola Rambler Challenge All-Tournament Team will be announced at the conclusion of the tournament. The final match between host Loyola and DePaul is scheduled for 7 p.m. (CT) Saturday.   

The Spartans return to action Sept. 18, when they open Atlantic Sun Conference play at Kennesaw State with a 7 p.m. match time.

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