Thursday's MatchUP
September 22, 2022 | 6:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (2-10; 0-0 Big South) at Presbyterian (4-8; 0-0 Big South)
Templeton Center | Clinton, S.C.
 
TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
 
Series History
In a series matching a pair of institutions who made the jump to NCAA Division I on the same date—July 1, 2007—USC Upstate and Presbyterian are meeting for the 17^th time in the two program's Division I eras (2007-pres.) when they line up Thursday evening. The Spartans lead the series 9-7 and have won four of the five meetings since the programs became Big South foes, beginning in 2018. Upstate has also had extended success in the series, winning seven of the last eight meetings, including a 3-1 victory last season.
 
Last Time Out
Sep. 17, 2022: Marshall 3; USC Upstate 0
 
Players to Watch
Upstate: Against Marshall, last Saturday, freshman setter/right-side hitter Savannah Page fashioned her second career match with eight or more kills while hitting .350 or better as she posted a career-best 10 kills while hitting .350. Her career-high 10 kills marked her third career-high over the past four matches, as she recorded a career-best seven service aces against Alabama A&M on Sep. 13 and a career-high 19 assists versus ETSU on Sep. 10.
 
Presbyterian: Another freshman splitting time between setting and hitting off the right-side, Anna Baranski is a two-time Big South Freshman of the Week performer for the Blue Hose. On the season, she's recorded 48 kills (2.09/set), 116 assists (5.04/set), and 65 digs (2.83/set) while hitting .230 and adding eight total blocks and five service aces.
 
Quotable (Sophomore Right-Side Hitter Kate Idrogo)
On where she and the team are following the conclusion of the bulk of non-conference play…
"I think we had a tough preseason, but I think it's going to really help us in conference. I think we are all excited to start conference tomorrow and see where it ends up. We are all being very positive about it and want to go home [from Presbyterian] with a win."
 
On the team's matchup against Presbyterian…
"I think it will be a good matchup and I'm excited to see how we turn out. I think we are all going in with a good mentality and are ready to go for Thursday."
 
UP Next for the Spartans
After opening Big South Conference play on the road, Upstate returns home for the first time in league play Saturday. The Spartans welcome High Point into the G.B. Hodge Center with Saturday's match featuring a 1 p.m. ET first serve.
 
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