Weekend MatchUPs
Friday, Sept. 3 | 4:00 p.m.
USC Upstate (1-2, 0-0 Big South) vs. Florida A&M (2-1, 0-0 SWAC)
Saturday, Sept. 4 | 2 p.m.
USC Upstate (1-2, 0-0 Big South) vs. Florida International (0-2, 0-0 CUSA)
Saturday, Sept. 4 | 7:00 p.m.
USC Upstate (1-2, 0-0 Big South) at Florida Gulf Coast (3-0, 0-0 ASUN)
Alico Arena | Fort Meyers, Fla.
Series History
USC Upstate and Florida Gulf Coast have previously met on the court 20 times, all within Upstate's 11 years as a member of the ASUN Conference. The Spartans will be looking for their first-ever win against Eagles. Prior to Saturday's matchup against FGCU, Upstate will face Florida A&M and Florida International for the first time in program history.
Last Time Out
USC Upstate volleyball started the fall 2021 season last weekend at the Southern Miss Classic, going 1-2 on the weekend. The Spartans began the tournament with a sweep over Mississippi Valley State Friday morning, which made for seven straight wins, six straight sweeps, and 21 straight sets won. The latter two are each Division I program records. Those streaks were broken Friday evening as Upstate dropped a 3-1 battle to Louisiana before going down in straight sets to host Southern Miss on Saturday afternoon.
Spartans to Watch
After the first weekend of play, Kelly Wiedemann paces the Spartan attack with 3.6 kills per set, which currently ranks second in the Big South. She also ranks ninth in the conference with 3.4 digs per set. Wiedemann posted a double-double against Mississippi Valley State as she swung for an Upstate career-high 15 kills with a career-high .583 hitting percentage alongside 13 digs.
Alexis Mareko ranks fourth in the Big South with a .382 hitting percentage. She is averaging 2.0 kills per set and has put up six blocks so far this season.
Newcomer and senior setter Allie Hamsher currently leads the Spartans and ranks fourth in the Big South with 7.0 assists per set. She has put down four service aces so far, which ranks ninth in the conference. Hamsher posted a double-double against Louisiana with 33 assists and 15 digs.
Scouting the Opponent
Florida A&M went 2-1 at the Jaguar Classic last weekend to start off the season. The Rattlers fell 3-0 to South Alabama on Friday before sweeping Charleston Southern and Jacksonville on Saturday. FAMU averages 11.8 kills per set with a .228 hitting percentage, and the attack is led by Dominique Washington who averages 3.78 kills per set.
Florida International is 0-2 after hosting the FIU Invite last weekend where the Panthers lost 3-1 to Tarleton State on Friday before suffering a sweep against Miami on Saturday. Led by Fiorella Murillo and Giada Bianchi who both average over three kills per set, the Panthers are averaging 10.9 kills per set with a .080 hitting percentage.
Florida Gulf Coast is 3-0 this season after dominating the FGCU Invitational last weekend. The Eagles swept all three of their opponents, starting with UMBC and Rutgers on Friday followed by South Florida on Saturday. FGCU averages 13.2 kills per set and hits .273 percent, and Erin Shoemaker leads the Eagles with 4.0 kills per set.
UP next for the Spartans
The Spartans travel to Southern Illinois next weekend to compete in the Saluki Invitational. On Friday, Sept. 10, Upstate will face Alabama State at 11 a.m. EST followed by host Southern Illinois at 8 p.m. EST. Upstate will turn around and take on Eastern Illinois Saturday, Sept. 11 at 12 p.m. EST.
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