Weekend MatchUPs
November 4, 2022 | 6:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (6-19; 3-9 Big South) vs. Winthrop (13-10; 9-3 Big South)
G.B. Hodge Center | Spartanburg, S.C.
 
November 5, 2022 | 2:00 p.m.
USC Upstate (6-19; 3-9 Big South) vs. Charleston Southern (12-14; 5-7 Big South)
G.B. Hodge Center | Spartanburg, S.C.
 
TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
 
Promotion: SAAC Green Game (vs. Winthrop) | Senior Day (vs. Charleston Southern)
 
Series History
vs. Winthrop: After splitting a pair of matches last season with each team defending its home court, the 12^th meeting in the series between Upstate and Winthrop in the Spartans' Division I era (2007-pres.) has the same stakes on the line Friday. The Eagles took the season's earlier meeting on October 8 in Rock Hill to take a 9-2 lead in the all-time series.
 
vs. Charleston Southern: Saturday's meeting between Upstate and Charleston Southern marks the seventh meeting between the two programs in the Spartans' Division I era (2007-pres.). Taking the earlier season match in Charleston, the Spartans collected their fifth straight win in the season and extended their lead in the all-time series to 5-1.
 
Last Times Out
October 28, 2022: UNC Asheville 3; USC Upstate 0
October 29, 2022: Gardner-Webb 3; USC Upstate 0
 
Players to Watch
Upstate: Over the past two weekends of Big South play, junior right-side hitter Ali Jansen has become a go-to option for the Spartan offense as she's posted four straight matches with eight or more kills, including a pair of matches with 10 kills. Over the stretch, she's totaled 37 kills, averaging 2.85 kills per set while fashioning a .222 hitting efficiency.
 
Winthrop: Entering the weekend, redshirt freshman setter Isabella Murray leads the Big South in assists and assists per set, tallying 844 helpers for an average of 10.29 assists per set while leading the Eagles to a .196 hitting percentage. In addition to running the offense, she also commands her opponent's attention as she's dumped in 52 kills on the season.
 
Charleston Southern: A focal point of the Buccaneer offense, graduate student right-side hitter Peyton Thompson leads the Big South in both kills and points, ranking 14^th and 12^th in the NCAA, respectively, in the two categories. She enters the weekend with seven or more kills in 25 of her team's 26 matches this season, collecting 20 or more kills on four occasions.
 
Quotable (Sophomore Outside Hitter Ashleigh Nicoll)
On her growth in the team's offense over the past few matches…
"It's been really good. We've been working on speeding up our offense and allowing our hitters to go up against a solo block more often. It's switching up our shots on offense too, so I think that's been working really well for us."
 
On how the team's offense has affected the team's play over the past two weekends…
"I think that we've all worked together really well. We've been working on adjustments and making sure no matter who's in the lineup that day, that we're all working hard to work together."
 
UP Next for the Spartans
After wrapping the team's 2022 home slate Saturday against Charleston Southern, Upstate hits the road to conclude the regular season with matches at Radford and Campbell. The Spartans and Highlanders tangle next Friday before the team travels to face the Camels Saturday.
 
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