SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate volleyball swept its fifth straight match for its sixth consecutive win on Friday night with a 3-0 victory (25-12, 25-19, 25-20) over Radford in the second match of the back-to-back series. With the win, the Spartans improve to .500 for the first time this season at 7-7. Upstate has now won 18 straight sets and swept the season series against three consecutive Big South opponents, which are both Division I era records for the program. The Spartans ended their home slate with a 5-3 record at the Hodge.
"I thought the middles were our key points offensively today. Both did a great job not only from an offensive standpoint, but also from a blocking standpoint. Our right side Briana Strobert did a great job as well off of serve receive and in transition. We came out of the gate very strong in every set from the service line, got the leads early, and kept them. Mackenzie Marcum did a great job on the back row and Bruna Avila always does a great job evenly distributing the ball, but tonight she knew our middles were on so she kept delivering it to them," said head coach Ronda Shirley.
The Spartans took five straight points with back-to-back service aces from Alexis Mareko to jump out to a 6-1 lead in the opening set. Another Spartan service ace, this time from Mackenzie Marcum, followed by a Mareko kill pushed Upstate's lead to 12-6. After taking three straight points for a 21-10 lead, the Spartans were able to put the set away on a block by Mareko and Breeana Gamueda.
Zelasia Edwards entered in the second frame and helped the Spartans to a 6-0 run for an early 9-2 lead over the Highlanders. After getting down 11-3, Radford responded with five straight points to cut the deficit to 11-8. However, the Spartans answered that with five straight points of their own, capped off by back-to-back kills from Bruna Avila to push their lead back out to 16-8. A kill from Briana Strobert made it 21-15, and Gamueda put down the set-ending kill for a 2-0 lead in the match.
A 9-0 run gave the Spartans a commanding 10-1 lead in the third frame, but Radford slowly crept back into the set. After a kill from Nikki Deslatte put the Spartans up 23-16, the Highlanders took four straight points to cut their deficit to 23-20. The Spartans were able to finish the job on a kill from Avila followed by a service ace from Kelly Wiedemann.
Notes
- Bruna Avila recorded a double-double with 35 assists and 10 digs.
- Breeana Gamueda posted an Upstate career-high four blocks alongside seven kills and 15 digs.
- Mackenzie Marcum collected a season-high 19 digs.
- Alexis Mareko posted an Upstate career-high .750 hitting percentage and a match-high six blocks.
- Kelly Wiedemann put down a match-high 11 kills and was one dig short of a double-double.
- Nikki Deslatte also put up double-digit kills with 10.
UP Next for the Spartans
The Spartans have a quick turnaround as they head to Charleston Southern Monday, March 29 and Tuesday, March 30 to close out the season with a back-to-back series against the Buccaneers. The first match on Monday is set for 6 p.m. with Tuesday's match set to begin at 2 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
