Spartans Falter against UNC Asheville

Saturday, October 19

Spartanburg, S.C.

2:00 p.m.

University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics

5-12,2-4Big South

UNC Asheville

8-8,3-3Big South

UNC Asheville

USC Upstate

Photo by: Douglas Fairnot

10/19/2019 8:15:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The USC Upstate volleyball team fell 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-21) to UNC Asheville on Saturday afternoon inside the Eddie and Ann Payne arena at the G.B. Hodge Center.

In the opening stanza the two teams appeared to be evenly matched as the score was tied on nine different occasions and the lead changed a trio of times. The first 30 points of the set were split evenly down the middle between the two squads. Kailey Hackett gave the Bulldogs the go-ahead kill at 16-15 and shifted the momentum to UNC Asheville. A Mikenzie Young-Mullins kill brought the Spartans back within a point of the Bulldogs at 19-18. UNC Asheville went on to take the opening set 25-22.

Young-Mullins led the Spartans offense in the opening set with six kills on 10 total attacks. Ansley Rooks led the Bulldogs with six kills in the first frame.

The second set was a shock to the Spartans and their fans. UNC Asheville raced out to a 10-2 lead over USC Upstate. The Spartans attempted to make a comeback but time ran out as the Bulldogs claimed the second set 25-15.

After the break between the second and third the Spartans came out focused and ready to go. USC Upstate raced out to 9-3 lead and appeared to be in complete control of the set. Slowly but surely the Bulldogs began to chop away at the lead and soon the set was tied 18-18. The Bulldogs ended the final set on a 7-3 run.

Stats of the Game

Emily Russell led the Spartans offense with 11 kills in the match. Young-Mullins and Gloria Ikenegbu both contributed 9 kills in the loss.
Mackenzie Marcum and Aliyah Shirley tied for the team lead in digs with 9 each. Annalisa Mendoza recorded 30 assists in the loss.
Julia Borges led the Bulldogs with 13 kills in the match and Ansley Rooks added an additional 11 kills.
Kailey Hackett recorded 31 assists and Kasey West had a team 10 digs.
USC Upstate once again out blocked their opponent 9-7 on the day.