Tuesday's MatchUP
September 5, 2023 | 7:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (4-1; 0-0 Big South) vs. Furman (4-1; 0-0 SoCon)
Alley Gymnasium | Greenville, S.C.
 
TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
 
How They Stack Up
Records: USC Upstate (4-1; 0-0 Big South); Furman (4-1; 0-0 SoCon)
Series: Furman leads 5-0
Last Five Meetings: Sep. 15, 2022 (FUR 3; UPST 0); Sep. 7, 2018 (FUR; 3; UPST 1); Sep. 15, 2017 (FUR 3; UPST 0); Sep. 10, 2016 (FUR 3; UPST 0); Sep. 1, 2012 (FUR 3; UPST 0)
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Through two weeks of action in the 2023 season, USC Upstate leads the Big South in team hitting efficiency, posting a .270 hitting percentage. Junior setter Kayla Spangler has paced the team's offense throughout the season and leads the Big South in assists per set, passing out 9.75 helpers per set on the year. She is the only setter in the league to pass out 30-plus assists in a three set match multiple times this year, including in both matches last weekend, handing out 33 assists versus South Carolina State and 31 assists versus Georgia State, leading Upstate to team hitting efficiencies of .381 and .346, respectively, the top and third-best single-match team hitting percentages in the conference this season.
 
Furman: Ranking fourth in the SoCon following two weeks of action, junior outside hitter Ava Auguston averages 3.25 kills per set (52 kills over 16 sets) to lead the Paladins offense this season. She's accrued 55.0 points on the year, adding two service aces and two total blocks, averaging 3.44 points per set while posting a .263 hitting efficiency. She registered a season-best 15 kills against Morgan State on Aug. 25 while also totaling a double-double on Aug. 25 with 10 kills and 12 digs versus Quinnipiac.
 
Last Times Out
Sep. 2, 2023: USC Upstate 3; South Carolina State 0
Sep. 2, 2023: USC Upstate 3; Georgia State 0
 
UP Next for the Spartans
Following the team's lone midweek non-conference match of the season, Upstate remains on the road, heading north for three matches at the Black & Gold Classic. The two-day event sees the Spartans compete against host Appalachian State, UNC Greensboro, and North Carolina A&T in Boone, N.C.
 
Connect with the Spartans 
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics 
Twitter | @UpstateVB | @UpstateSpartans 
Instagram | @UpstateVB | @UpstateSpartans 
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans 
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