BUIES CREEK, N.C. – USC Upstate volleyball came out stronger against Campbell Sunday afternoon in match two of the back-to-back series, but unfortunately once again dropped the match in straight sets. The Spartans vastly improved on their hitting percentage from the previous day and had some key defensive plays in the match.

The Spartans took three straight points early in the first set for a 3-1 lead off a pair of kills and a block from Bri Strobert and Nikki Deslatte. A few Campbell errors later helped Upstate push its lead to 8-5. Kills from Kelly Wiedemann, Strobert and Breeana Gamueda made it 12-9 Upstate before a dump over from Emma McElveen gave the Spartans a 15-14 lead heading into the media timeout. A kill and service ace from Wiedemann helped Upstate retake a 19-18 lead, and soon after, Gamueda's kill gave Upstate the late 21-20 advantage. However, Campbell took the last five points of the set for a 1-0 lead in the match.

Renae Watson made her Upstate debut as she started the second set and recorded a kill to tie the frame up at 2-2. A 5-1 Campbell run then forced an Upstate timeout, and Watson and Courtney Coffy came out of that timeout with a big block to cut Upstate's deficit to 7-4. A cross-court kill from Alexis Mareko cut off Campbell's 4-0 run to make it 10-5, still in favor of Campbell. After going down 15-7 on four straight Campbell points, Upstate fought back to 15-10 with three straight Upstate points off Campbell miscues. The Spartans hung in there with two late back-to-back kills, but dropped the second set 25-16.

Upstate used some momentum and a strong defensive effort in the third set to keep things extremely close throughout the frame. A block from Mareko and Gamueda opened the third set and Gamueda's kill that capped a huge rally gave the Spartans a 2-1 lead. The two teams went back-and-forth until Campbell took three straight points for an 8-5 lead, but the Camels still couldn't pull away as Upstate stayed close behind and tied it back up at 10-10 on a service ace from Scout Hoffmeier. Late attack errors from the Camels allowed Upstate to hold on at 23-22, but Campbell recorded two match-clinching kills to end the set.

Notes

• Upstate's attack effort was stronger Sunday afternoon and led by Kelly Wiedemann and Bri Strobert with eight and six kills, respectively. The Spartans hit .125 in the match compared to -.012 in match one on Saturday.
• Bruna Avila recorded 15 assists on the day and Emma McElveen was close behind with 11.
• Mackenzie had a team-high 15 digs while Breanna Gamueda had 12.

UP next for the Spartans
The Spartans continue on their season-opening road stint next week when they travel to Rock Hill for a pair of matches against Winthrop. Match one is set for 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11 followed by a 1 p.m. start on Friday, Feb. 12.

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