SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Taking the court in front of a loud and rowdy crowd at the G.B. Hodge Center, USC Upstate volleyball accomplished something it hadn't since 2018 with its sweep of rival UNC Asheville Tuesday night.
Taking the match by scores of 25-19, 25-19, 25-17, the Spartans extended their winning streak at the Hodge to five matches, the most since winning seven consecutive home matches in 2018. Upstate's sweep also marks the team's fourth Big South Conference victory at home, improving to 5-2 in conference play this season.
Leading the way offensively, senior outside hitter
Kelly Wiedemann collected her fifth double-double of the season, tallying a team-high 12 kills and 11 digs in the match. Finishing just shy of double-figure kills, senior outside hitter
Breeana Gamueda totaled nine terminations without an error, hitting a career-high .450 (min. 10 attempts).
Elsewhere offensively, sophomore middle blocker
Nikki Deslatte posted five or more kills for the third straight match, finishing with six kills in the match, tying with junior right-side hitter
Briana Strobert for the third-highest total for the Spartans.
Directing the offense, sophomore setter
Emma McElveen dished out a match-high-tying 17 assists while senior setter
Allie Hamsher added 12.
Pacing the floor defense, senior libero
Mackenzie Marcum added 12 digs to pair with Wiedemann's 11 digs to create a double-digit dig tandem. Just shy of double-figures, Gamueda added nine digs with Hamsher adding eight.
At the net, the Spartans turned away eight shots with Deslatte tying a season-high with five total blocks as she's totaled four or more blocks in three consecutive matches. She collected one of Upstate's three solo blocks while senior middle blocker
Alexis Mareko, and Hamsher—the first of her career—added the others.
In service, Upstate landed its highest service ace total, tallying eight in the match as five of the team's primary servers contributed an ace. Tied for the team lead, Hamsher, Mareko, and Wiedemann landed two aces apiece.
Next UP for the Spartans
After sweeping its three-game homestand, Upstate hits the road, travelling to Radford for the first of two consecutive road matches. The Spartans and Highlanders meet Friday at 6 p.m. ET in Radford, Va.
JOIN UP
Make a difference in the lives of USC Upstate student-athletes!
Donate to the USC Upstate U Club today!
Keep UP with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateVB @UpstateSpartans
Instagram | @UpstateVB @UpstateSpartans
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
