Friday's MatchUP
October 15, 2021 | 6:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (9-11; 5-2 Big South) at Radford (2-16; 0-6 Big South)
Dedmon Center | Radford, Va.
 
TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
 
Series History
Upstate and Radford's meeting Friday night marks the eighth meeting between the two programs in the Spartans' Division I era. The Spartans and Highlanders met twice before Upstate joined the Big South in 2018 with the programs meeting each season since 2018. Overall, Radford leads the series 5-2, but Upstate took both meetings during the spring 2021 season.
 
Last Time Out
October 12, 2021: USC Upstate 3, UNC Asheville 0
 
Players to Watch
Upstate: Sophomore middle blocker Nikki Deslatte has made her presence felt both offensively and defensively for the Spartans. Over the past three matches, she's tallied four or more total blocks in each match, including twice posting a season-best five blocks. Offensively, she's registered five or more kills in six of Upstate's seven conference matches, including three matches with eight or more kills.
 
Radford: Entering Friday's match, senior middle blocker Kennedi Johnson leads Radford in total kills, hitting percentage, and total blocks in 2021. She's tallied 137 kills on a .286 hitting percentage this season while adding 58 total blocks. Johnson enters the match off a nine-kill performance, complete with a .471 hitting percentage, against Charleston Southern last Saturday.
 
Next UP for the Spartans
After their lone match of the weekend, the Spartans hit the road for the second consecutive match, heading to Clinton, S.C. for a meeting with Presbyterian on October 19.
 
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