UNCG Spartan Classic
August 30, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. / 4:30 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (0-0; 0-0 Big South) vs. Missouri State (0-0; 0-0 MVC)
USC Upstate (0-0; 0-0 Big South) vs. Robert Morris (0-0; 0-0 Horizon)
 
August 31, 2024 | 2:00 p.m.
USC Upstate (0-0; 0-0 Big South) vs. UNC Greensboro (0-0; 0-0 SoCon)
Fleming Gymnasium | Greensboro, N.C.
 
TV: FloSports (Friday only) & ESPN+ (Saturday only) | Links available via the Upstate volleyball schedule page
 
How They Stack Up
vs. Missouri State
Records: USC Upstate (0-0; 0-0 Big South); Missouri State (0-0; 0-0 MVC)
Series: First Meeting
Last Five Meetings: First Meeting
 
vs. Robert Morris
Records: USC Upstate (0-0; 0-0 Big South); Robert Morris (0-0; 0-0 Horizon)
Series: First Meeting
Last Five Meetings: First Meeting
 
vs. UNC Greensboro
Records: USC Upstate (0-0; 0-0 Big South); UNC Greensboro (0-0; 0-0 SoCon)
Series: UNCG leads 2-0
Last Five Meetings: Sep. 8, 2023 (UNCG 3; UPST 0); Sep. 5, 2014 (UNCG 3; UPST 2)
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Capturing the program's first Preseason All-Conference selection from the Big South, junior middle blocker Ady O'Grady returns after earning Second Team All-Conference honors a season ago. She proved an efficient scorer last season, ranking third in the league in points per set (3.60; 331.0 over 92 sets). O'Grady also fashioned a team-leading .270 hitting efficiency, collecting 255 kills and 91 total blocks on the 2023 campaign.
 
Missouri State: A returning Second Team All-Missouri Valley selection, middle blocker Maddy Bushnell stands as the Bears returning leader in three of the six major statistical categories, leading in kills, hitting percentage, and blocks. She accrued 341 kills last season, averaging 2.80 per set while crafting a .274 hitting efficiency. Bushnell also chipped in 80 total blocks to add to her team-best 385.0 points last season.
 
Robert Morris: A returning leader in multiple statistical categories for the Colonials, outside hitter Natalie Stepanovich captured multiple All-Horizon League honors, bringing home Second Team All-Horizon League and Horizon League All-Freshman Team accolades. She ranked third in the conference last season in kills and points per set, averaging 3.36 and 3.92, respectively, as she accumulated 282 kills and 329.0 points.
 
UNCG: Ranking ninth in the SoCon in kills per set, averaging 2.99 per set, outside hitter Aylin Baran returns after leading the Spartans with 284 kills last season—she was the lone UNCG player to go north of 200 kills on the campaign. In 2023, she thrice totaled 20-plus kills in a match, topping out at 27 against UNC Asheville in September.
 
Up Next for the Spartans
Following its season-opening trip for the first of two Spartan Classics on the slate this season, Upstate returns home to the G.B. Hodge Center for its first midweek contest. The Spartans host Furman in the team's home opener Wednesday at 6 p.m. ET.
 
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