SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The USC Upstate volleyball team is looking to get back on the winning track in a Tuesday night matchup against South Carolina State in Orangeburg, S.C.
 
USC Upstate (4-10) is currently 3-1 against South Carolina State (0-16) in the Division I era. The Spartans are riding a three game winning streak into Tuesday night's matchup as they look to sweep the Bulldogs in back-to-back matches for the first time in series history. Last season the Spartans swept the Bulldogs in straight sets behind Mikenzie Young-Mullins double-double. Young-Mullins had nine kills on the night, tying her with McKenna Kirkpatrick for the team lead.
 
This is the second Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference school the Spartans have faced this season. Earlier this year the Spartans traveled to Greensboro, N.C. and defeated North Carolina A&T, 3-1.
 
USC Upstate went 1-1 this past weekend against Big South rivals Gardner-Webb and Winthrop. The Spartans cruised to an easy sweep over Gardner-Webb on Friday night behind Emily Russell's team high 13 kills. In Saturday's matchup the Spartans hung with top ranked Winthrop for the first two sets of the match and even took the opening 25-23. Although the Spartans fell in four sets it showed that the Spartans are heading in the right direction against Big South opponents.
 
A trio of Spartans have already crossed the 100 kill threshold this season. Russell leads the team with 128, followed by Kirkpatrick with 115, Gloria Ikenegbu has recorded 104 kills and Young-Mullins is just three away with 97 total kills on the season. Annalisa Mendoza leads the team with 296 assists and is averaging just under 10 assists per set.
 
South Carolina State is having a bit of a rough season to say the least. The Bulldogs have won just four sets this season and are currently in the middle of a 28 match losing streak. There last win came on September 28, 2018 against Savannah State. That night the Bulldogs swept Savannah State in straight sets to take the victory. The Bulldogs are currently coming off a pair of home losses to Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman University.
 
Alexus Holt is the top offensive option for the Bulldogs this season. Holt is averaging 2.87 kills per set and has recorded 135 kills this season. Aundre Boyland is second on the team in total kills (93) but leads the team in total blocks with 19 on the season. Jenai King has registered 281 assists on the year and is averaging 5.98 assists per set.
 
USC Upstate and South Carolina State will tip-off at 6:00 p.m. in Orangeburg, S.C. Live stats and live video will not be provided for the competition. A recap of the event will follow at the conclusion of the match.
 
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