Weekend MatchUPs
September 17, 2021 | 12:30 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m.
USC Upstate (2-7; 0-0 Big South) vs. Mercer (3-5; 0-0 SoCon)
USC Upstate (2-7; 0-0 Big South) vs. Alabama State (0-10; 0-0 SWAC)
 
September 18, 2021 | 12:30 p.m.
USC Upstate (2-7; 0-0 Big South) at Georgia Southern (4-3; 0-0 Sun Belt)
 
Hanner Fieldhouse | Statesboro, Ga.
 
Series History
The field in the GATA Challenge represents the most familiar tournament field for USC Upstate this season as the Spartans have previously met each Mercer, Alabama State, and Georgia Southern on the court. Upstate and Mercer have met 12 prior times—a large portion coming during both program's times in the ASUN—with Mercer holding an 8-4 advantage in the series. Against Alabama State, Friday's match marks the second-ever meeting between the programs as the Spartans defeated the Hornets 3-1 at the Saluki Invitational last weekend. Upstate and host Georgia Southern have met two previous times with the Eagles leading the series two matches to none.
 
Last Time Out
September 10, 2021: USC Upstate 3, Alabama State 1
September 10, 2021: Southern Illinois 3, USC Upstate 0
September 11, 2021: Eastern Illinois 3, USC Upstate 0
 
Players to Watch
Upstate: Senior middle blocker Alexis Mareko was a force in Upstate's block last weekend, finishing the Saluki Invitational with 20 total blocks through three matches. She set the tone early in the weekend with a career-high 10 total blocks against Alabama State, concluding the match one block shy of tying the program's Division I era record for single-match blocks. Entering the GATA Challenge, Mareko ranks fifth in the Big South in blocks per set, turning away 1.07 shots per set.
 
Mercer: Libero Megan Smith enters the GATA Challenge ranked third in the SoCon in both digs (137) and digs per set (4.72). She opened the season with four straight 20-plus dig matches and has collected 10 or more digs in each of the past two matches for the Bears to lead Mercer's defensive unit.
 
Alabama State: Middle blocker Kalysia Bates continues to be an all-around threat for Alabama State, leading the team in service aces while ranking second on the team in kills and total blocks. Entering the weekend, Bates' 16 service aces ranks 32^nd in the NCAA.
 
Georgia Southern: Middle blocker Christina Walton enters the weekend ranked third in the Sun Belt in both blocks per set (1.14) and hitting percentage (.338) for the Eagles. She's entering the GATA Challenge off her most efficient match of the season, posting 12 kills with no errors on 18 swings (.667) against Murray State while adding four total blocks in the match.
 
UP Next for the Spartans
With the conclusion of the in-season tournament portion of the team's schedule, Upstate turns its attention to Big South Conference play as the Spartans host High Point and North Carolina A&T at the G.B. Hodge Center next Friday and Saturday.
 
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