BOONE, N.C. – Wrapping the first day of the Black & Gold Classic, USC Upstate engaged in a battle of the Spartans, facing off against UNC Greensboro as Upstate continued to show its fight in a match that featured 22 ties and 13 lead changes with Upstate playing close in the first and third sets before succumbing to UNC Greensboro Friday night.
 
Game Information
Score: UNC Greensboro 3; USC Upstate 0 (25-22; 25-16; 25-23)
Records: USC Upstate (4-4; 0-0 Big South); UNC Greensboro (1-7; 0-0 SoCon)
Location: Holmes Convocation Center | Boone, N.C.
 
How It Happened
Back on the court for the second time on the day and the second time at the Black & Gold Classic, USC Upstate fought throughout the evening, forcing two contested sets that came down to the final points as the match as a whole saw 13 lead changes and 22 ties over the three-set duration.
 
Offensively, junior outside hitter Ashleigh Nicoll and sophomore middle blocker Ady O'Grady recorded six kills apiece and crafted hitting efficiencies of .250 with Nicoll collecting her kills with one error on 20 swings and O'Grady her kills with no errors on 16 swings. Adding four kills each were senior outside hitter Zelasia Edwards and junior middle blocker Nikki Deslatte, finishing behind Nicoll and O'Grady on the leaderboard.
 
Leading the Upstate offense, junior setter Kayla Spangler passed out 18 assists on the night as her streak of matches with 20-plus helpers to start the season, seven matches, came to an end. She also contributed six digs, one of six Spartans to dig up five or more balls along a balanced floor defense.
 
With seven digs apiece, senior setter Emma McElveen and O'Grady each recorded seven digs apiece with O'Grady's total marking a season-high. Wrapping the quintet of Spartans with five-plus digs, joining McElveen, O'Grady, and Spangler were senior libero Caroline Cleveland and Edwards who picked up five balls each.
 
In service, Upstate recorded seven service aces, the most since achieving a season-best eight winners against South Carolina State on Sep. 2 and the second-highest ace total for the Spartans this season. Edwards and Nicoll each landed multiple winners while McElveen, O'Grady, and Spangler each added one apiece.
 
UP Next for the Spartans
With day one of the Black & Gold Classic completed, Upstate returns to action for the final time in the event tomorrow morning against North Carolina A&T. The meeting of former Big South foes sees an 11 a.m. ET first serve.
 
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