SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The USC Upstate volleyball team fell 3-1 (25-23, 19-25, 13-25, 12-25) to top ranked Winthrop on Saturday afternoon at the Eddie and Anne Payne Arena located inside the G.B. Hodge Center.
 
The two teams appeared to be evenly matched throughout the opening set as the score was tied on six different occasions and two lead changes occurred. The opening 20 points were split between the two squads but then Winthrop (12-3, 4-0 BSC) began to gain a little momentum. The Eagles rattled off five consecutive points to take a 15-10 advantage over USC Upstate (4-10, 1-2 BSC). The Spartans stuck around and made their move late in the opening stanza.
 
Trailing by just a single point at 21-20, Winthrop setter Siani Yamaguchi mishandled the ball and the Spartans tied the game at 21. This was just the opening the Spartans needed as they continued to put pressure on Winthrop. Trailing 23-22, Gloria Ikenegbu ignited the crowd and the Spartans offense with a kill that tied the game at 23. After a quick timeout by Winthrop, Emily Russell served out the opening set with a pair of service aces.
 
In the second set the two teams once again appeared to be evenly matched. The first 12 points of the frame were split between the two programs, but once again Winthrop found a little momentum to take advantage of. The Eagles went on a 7-3 run, giving them a 13-9 advantage over the Spartans in the middle of the second set. However, the Spartans quickly countered with a run of their own and the match was once again tied at 15. Winthrop finished the set on a 10-4 run to take the second set 25-19 over USC Upstate.
 
Winthrop came out attacking in the third set and ran out to a 13-3 lead over the Spartans. USC Upstate attempted to respond but the lead was too large and the Eagles won the third set 25-13. Still in shock from the third set the Spartans tried to recover in the fourth set. USC Upstate kept it close in the early moments of the fourth set but Winthrop took over and won the final set 25-12.
 
Stats of the Match

• Emily Russell led the team in kills with 11 on the afternoon.
• Annalisa Mendoza led the team in assists with 35 and Scout Hoffmeier led the team in digs with 16.
• Winthrop had a trio of players end the match in double figure kills. Nikkia Benitez led the team in kills with 15 and ended the contest with a double-double.

 
Next Up   

• The USC Upstate volleyball team will hit the road on Tuesday, October 8^th as they travel down to Orangeburg, S.C. to battle S.C. State. Tip-off time is set for 6:00 p.m.

 
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