BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Running back its match with Gardner-Webb from October 9, USC Upstate volleyball experienced déjà vu as the Spartans swept the Runnin' Bulldogs for the second time in 2021, claiming the program's fifth straight win at Gardner-Webb with the straight-set victory.
Upstate's victory also carries another layer of significance as it ties the program record for the most conference victories by the Spartans since transitioning to the Division I level in 2007. The Spartans' eighth Big South victory of the season ties the program's eight conference victories from 2019.
Leading to its sweep Friday, Upstate rode its block as the team's net defense collected a season-high blocking total for the second straight match, finishing with 15.0 total blocks—the most by the Spartans in a match since 2019. Junior right-side hitter
Briana Strobert and sophomore middle blocker
Nikki Deslatte each tallied career-high blocking totals, recording 10 and eight total blocks, respectively.
The Spartans also continued its streak of matches with five or more service aces on Friday night, running the streak to six matches behind six aces while the team has landed five or more aces in 10 of 11 Big South matches this season. All six of Upstate's primary servers landed an ace in the match, the second time this feat has occurred in the last three matches.
Offensively, senior outside hitter
Breeana Gamueda led the Spartans, collecting 13 kills while hitting .294 for the match—her most efficient match of the season when tallying 10 or more kills. Adding six kills apiece were senior outside hitter
Kelly Wiedemann and Deslatte to finish behind Gamueda on the leaderboard.
As a team, Upstate posted a hitting efficiency of .200 or better for the second straight match, hitting .202 Friday night. Pacing the Spartan offense, setters, sophomore
Emma McElveen and senior
Allie Hamsher passed out 16 and 13 assists, respectively.
Adding 13 digs to her 13 kills, Gamueda secured her fifth double-double of the season as she was one of three Spartans to corral double-digit digs against Gardner-Webb. Senior libero
Mackenzie Marcum paced the floor defense with 14 digs while Wiedemann contributed 10.
UP Next for the Spartans
Upstate continues its two-game road trip Saturday afternoon, heading to Rock Hill, S.C. for a Saturday matinee at Winthrop. Saturday's Spartans-Eagles matchup features a first serve time of 2 p.m. ET.
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