Women's Volleyball 9/12/2019 3:40:00 PM

USC Upstate Travels to East Carolina this Weekend for Pirate Invitational

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The USC Upstate volleyball team plays its final tournament of the season this weekend, September 13-14, as it travels to Greenville, N.C. to face Norfolk State, George Washington and East Carolina in the Pirate Invitational from Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.

The Spartans open the weekend on Friday afternoon when they take on Norfolk State at 12 p.m. On Saturday, USC Upstate is scheduled to play in two matches against George Washington (10 a.m.) and East Carolina (7 p.m.).

The Spartans (0-6) opened the week on Tuesday falling 3-2 at home to Tusculum. McKenna Kirkpatrick recorded her first career double-double at USC Upstate after compiling 10 kills and a career-high 20 digs. Emily Russell collected a career-high 20 kills while Mikenzie Young-Mullins matched her career-best of 26 digs. Gloria Ikenegbu added 11 kills and Mackenzie Marcum had 15 digs. Annalisa Mendoza and Scout Hoffmeier combined for 51 assists.

Russell leads the Spartans offensively this season with 51 kills and ranks second with 20 total blocks (five solo, 15 assisted). Hoffmeier has dished out a team-leading 125 assists while Marcum contributes 84 digs. Defensively, Ikenegbu leads the team with 22 total blocks (six solo, 16 assisted).

East Carolina enters the weekend with a 5-1 overall record while George Washington is 2-4 and Norfolk State 0-6.

USC Upstate leads the all-time series over Norfolk State 2-0 and trails East Carolina 2-0. The Spartans are facing George Washington for the first time in program history.

Fans can follow the action on www.upstatespartans.com via live stats. The final match on Saturday against East Carolina is being streamed on Pirates All-Access. Updates will also be posted on the USC Upstate volleyball Twitter page (@UpstateVB).

The Spartans head to Greensboro, N.C. on Tuesday, September 17, to face North Carolina A&T at 6 p.m.

Follow USC Upstate volleyball on Facebook (UpstateAthletics), Twitter (@UpstateVB), Instagram (@upstatespartans), YouTube (USCUpstateAthletics) and text/e-mail alerts (www.upstatespartans.com/list-signup).