Thursday's MatchUP
September 15, 2022 | 6:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (2-8; 0-0 Big South) at Furman (3-5; 0-0 SOCON)
Alley Gymnasium | Greenville, S.C.
 
TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
 
Series History
In another series that dates back to the Spartans' time competing in the AIAW, USC Upstate and Furman are meeting for the 20^th time in the two programs' histories with all but four of the 19 previous meetings occurring before 1990. Overall, Upstate leads the series 13-6, but Furman has taken all four meetings during the Spartans' Division I era (2007-pres.) with the two teams last meeting in 2018.
 
Last Time Out
September 13, 2022: USC Upstate 3; Alabama A&M 0
 
Players to Watch
Upstate: Earning All-Tournament Team honors following back-to-back career matches to close the Buccaneer Classic, sophomore outside hitter Ashleigh Nicoll led Upstate offensively last weekend. Against Georgia State, she posted a then career-high 12 kills while adding nine digs as she neared her first career double-double. Closing the weekend, she put down a career-high 18 kills with a .289 hitting percentage, adding eight digs and four total blocks.
 
Furman: Posting three straight matches with 14-plus kills, including 18 kills last time out against Texas A&M-Commerce, sophomore outside hitter Ava Augustson stands as the Paladins' leading attacker this season. She's registered 86 terminations over 26 sets, averaging 3.31 kills per set, a total that ranks third in the SoCon.
 
UP Next for the Spartans
Completing a three-match week, Upstate returns to the G.B. Hodge Center for the first time for the team's home opener. The Spartans host Marshall Saturday at 2 p.m. ET looking to continue an eight-match home winning streak.
 
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