SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Erasing a 2-0 deficit and forcing a decisive fifth set, USC Upstate volleyball battled back and fought until the very end in a five-set setback against regional rival Gardner-Webb Thursday night at the G.B. Hodge Center.
 
Seeing the Runnin' Bulldogs jump out to a two-set advantage behind scores of 20-25 and 18-25, the Spartans didn't wither and fought back to tie the match after four sets, winning sets three and four by scores of 25-15 and 25-17, respectively. After jumping out on Gardner-Webb with extended scoring runs in the third and fourth sets, the Runnin' Bulldogs took the momentum in the fifth set, eventually taking the match with a 15-6 final stanza.
 
Spurring the Spartans' comeback attempt, Upstate secured 9.0 of the team's 16.0 total blocks during the third and fourth set, accruing 7.0 team blocks in the third set alone. With 16.0 team blocks, the Spartans put forth their highest blocking output of the season, securing the second match in Big South play with 15.0 or more total team blocks.
 
Leading the block, freshman middle blocker Ady O'Grady secured another career-high during league play as she posted eight total blocks. Adding seven total blocks was junior middle blocker Nikki Deslatte with junior outside hitter Zelasia Edwards totaling a career-high six total blocks as the trio combined for 11.5 of the Spartans' 16.0 total blocks.
 
Another spark in the team's comeback was the play of sophomore outside hitter Ashleigh Nicoll who tallied her first career double-double with a match-high 13 kills and 12 digs. Of her 13 kills, eight came across sets three and four as she combined to hit .350 in the two Spartan set victories. Joining Nicoll with double-digit kills, senior right-side hitter Briana Strobert fashioned her third match in Big South play with 10-plus kills, totaling 11 Thursday.
 
Cleaning things up behind the Upstate block, the team's floor defense put forth a strong effort, scooping up 86 balls against Gardner-Webb—the highest dig total for the Spartans this season. In all, four Spartans finished the night with double-figure digs led by a pair of Spartans with career-best totals, sophomore libero Julia Gladhill and Edwards who dug up 24 and 18 balls, respectively. Nicoll and sophomore right-side hitter Kate Idrogo (10 digs) joined Gladhill and Edwards with 10 or more digs.
 
UP Next for the Spartans
Upstate doesn't have to wait long for a chance to get back to action as the Spartans wrap up a three-game homestand Friday evening versus UNC Asheville. The Spartans and Bulldogs are slated for a 6 p.m. ET first serve.
 
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