Buccaneer Classic
September 9, 2022 | 2:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m.
USC Upstate (1-5; 0-0 Big South) vs. Clemson (5-2; 0-0 ACC)
USC Upstate (1-5; 0-0 Big South) vs. Georgia State (2-4; 0-0 Sun Belt)
September 10, 2022 | 1:00 p.m.
USC Upstate (1-5; 0-0 Big South) vs. East Tennessee State (1-5; 0-0 SoCon)
Brooks Gym | Johnson City, Tenn.
 
TV: ESPN+ (vs. ETSU only) | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
 
Series History
vs. Clemson: In a series dating back to both programs' days in the AIAW, Upstate and Clemson have met nine times on the court—twice in the Spartans' Division I era (2007-pres.), most recently in 2015. The Tigers lead the series 7-2, including taking both of the meetings in Upstate's D1 era.
 
vs. Georgia State: Unlike the series with Clemson and ETSU, Upstate and Georgia State have met just once previously, matching up at the Spartan Classic on Sep. 7, 2013. In a tight match at the G.B. Hodge Center, the Panthers took the victory in five sets.
 
vs. East Tennessee State: Seeing two former ASUN foes meeting for the first time since 2016, the Spartans renew their series with ETSU Saturday. The Buccaneers lead the series 16-4 in 20 all-time meetings with Upstate looking to snap a five-match losing streak.
 
Last Time Out
September 2, 2022: Appalachian State 3; USC Upstate 1
September 2, 2022: Eastern Kentucky 3; USC Upstate 2
September 3, 2022: Wofford 3; USC Upstate 0
 
Players to Watch
Upstate: Taking the reigns as the Spartan libero in 10 sets at last weekend's Wofford Invitational, freshman Jaci Drinnon posted back-to-back 20-plus dig matches to spur the Upstate floor defense. She dug up a career-best 23 balls in a five-set battle with Eastern Kentucky before returning in the tournament finale against Wofford with 20 digs in a three-set match (6.67 per set). Entering the weekend, she ranks 39^th in the NCAA and second in the Big South in digs per set (4.88).
 
Clemson: Leading the Tigers to their first victory over South Carolina since 2014 Tuesday behind 24 kills, junior right-side hitter Camryn Hannah pushed over 100 kills on the season. She leads Clemson offensively and ranks among the top attackers in the country (14^th in kills and 11^th in points) with 103 total kills over 27 sets (3.81 per set).
 
Georgia State: Pacing one of the top service teams in the NCAA, sophomore setter Jenna Brown has dropped in 16 of Georgia State's 55 service aces on the season. She ranks ninth in the NCAA in total service aces and 26^th in service aces per set (0.67 per set).
 
ETSU: Entering the Buccaneer Classic, junior right-side hitter Jenna Forster and freshman outside hitter Brianna Cantrell sit atop ETSU's kill leaderboard, posting 42 and 43 kills, respectively, this season. Both players finished with double-digit kills in the Buccaneers' victory over ECU with Cantrell leading the way with a match-high 20.
 
UP Next for the Spartans
After wrapping up the preseason tournament portion of the team's non-conference slate, Upstate hits the road Tuesday for a single match at Alabama A&M. The match kicks off a three-match week for the Spartans, culminating with the team's home opener versus Marshall on Sep. 17.
 
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