HIGH POINT, N.C. – The USC Upstate volleyball fell 3-1 to High Point University on Saturday afternoon.
The Panthers raced out to a 5-1 lead early in the first period and eventually held a 7-3 lead in the contest. Trailing 19-15 late in the stanza the USC Upstate offense came alive and went on a 7-1 run to take a 22-20 lead over High Point. However, the Panthers responded with a 5-1 run to close out the opening period of action.
USC Upstate held the momentum early against High Point in the second stanza. The Spartans raced out to a 4-1 advantage but then watched as the Panthers countered with a 6-1 run to take the lead back. USC Upstate continued to battle in the set and regained the lead at 14-13. Then High Point used a 7-1 run to take a five point lead over the Spartans. USC Upstate did not go down without a fight as a quick 4-0 spurt put the Spartans back within a point at 20-19. Moments later the set was knotted at 21 and the momentum was appeared to favoring the Spartans. High Point won four of the final six points to take the second set against the Spartans.
With their backs and against the walls the Spartans came out fighting in the third set. The two teams fought for each and every point with USC Upstate taking an early 13-7 lead over High Point. Moments later the Spartans lead was extended to 16-11 and USC Upstate held on to win the final nine points of the frame to avoid the sweep against the Panthers.
The momentum appeared to be on the Spartans sideline throughout the fourth stanza of action. USC Upstate held a 14-10 lead after a kill by senior middle blocker
Emily Russell. Holding a 17-14 advantage in the set the Spartans appeared to still be in control of the set. Then High Point rattled off six consecutive points to take a 20-17 lead over the Spartans. The Panthers closed out the match on 5-2 run to give High Point the win over USC Upstate.
Gloria Ikenegbu led USC Upstate with a double-double in the match, the senior registered a team high 13 kills and had 10 total blocks in the match.
Emily Russell and
Mikenzie Young-Mullins each contributed 8 kills in the loss for USC Upstate.
Mackenzie Marcum led the team with 20 digs in the match and Scout Hoffemier recorded a team high 14 assists in the loss.
The USC Upstate volleyball team will be back in action next Friday night against Presbyterian College. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. inside the G.B. Hodge Center.
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