CLINTON, S.C. – USC Upstate volleyball bounced back after dropping the first set against Presbyterian College Thursday night and took the next three sets to get back into the win column. Breeana Gamueda and Kelly Wiedemann each recorded a double-double and Nikki Deslatte and Briana Strobert also put up double-digit kills to help the Spartans take down the Blue Hose 3-1 (23-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-22) on the road.

"I'm proud of the full team effort our players displayed tonight, especially after dropping the first set. We had a well-rounded offense tonight, along with some very solid defensive plays at the net and on the floor," said head coach Ronda Shirley.

Bruna Avila put down the first point of the match on a service ace, but PC went on a 6-0 run to pull ahead in the opening set. Alexis Mareko swung for Upstate's first kill of the day followed by a service ace to cut the deficit in half. The Blue Hose went up 18-10 before Upstate stopped their run with five straight points to pull within three points of PC. Two straight kills from Kelly Wiedemann during a 4-0 run tied things up at 20 and the two teams exchanged points until PC took the last two points to secure the first set.

Upstate jumped out to a 6-3 lead after dropping the first point of the set with the help of three kills from Wiedemann. Things went back-and-forth as Upstate was able to hang tight onto the lead. The Spartans pushed their lead to 17-12 after a block from Avila and Deslatte followed by two service aces from Wiedemann. PC pushed back, but a block from Gamueda and Mareko and a set point service ace from Gamueda gave Upstate the win in set two.

PC took an early 4-0 lead, but Upstate fought back to tie things up at 7-all and took an 8-7 lead on a Wiedemann kill. The Spartans built up to a 20-7 lead to force a PC timeout, and continued on a run out of that timeout for a 23-17 lead. Upstate closed the frame out on a block from Mareko and Strobert.

The Spartans went on an early 6-1 run for an 11-5 lead to force a PC timeout and once again continued the run out of the timeout, this time on a kill from Gamueda. After Upstate got up 21-13, PC attempted to fight its way back into the set, coming as close as 22-21. However, Upstate called a timeout and was able to regroup, and took the next three of four points to take the match.

Notes

• As a team, the Spartans recorded a season-high 11 service aces.
• Breeana Gamueda led the attack with an Upstate career-high 14 kills. She also had 10 digs for a double-double.
• Kelly Wiedemann also notched a double-double with an Upstate career-high 10 kills along with 12 digs.
• Nikki Deslatte and Briana Strobert had 10 kills each, which is a career-high for Deslatte.
• Mackenzie Marcum collected a team-high 13 digs on the night.
• Bruna Avila put up an Upstate career-high 43 assists and 12 digs.
• Alexis Mareko posted an Upstate career-high seven blocks.

UP next for the Spartans
Upstate will look to sweep the series against PC tomorrow at 6 p.m.

Spartans Win Today, You Save Tomorrow!
Save 50% off online orders at Papa John's locations across the Upstate. Use the code USCUP50 when placing online orders the day after Upstate victories. Also tomorrow, visit The Beacon Drive-In located in Spartanburg and show the win graphic posted to the @UpstateSpartans Instagram account to claim a free sweet tea as part of the "Sweet Taste of Victory" promotion. No purchase necessary.

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