SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Hitting the court for the first time since gritting out a pair of five-set victories to win the Queens Fall Classic, USC Upstate volleyball rode its wave of momentum into the opening match of its own Spartan Classic. The Spartans swept West Georgia to kickstart the event, taking the match by scores of 25-19, 25-20, and 25-23.
 
On its home court for the second time this season, Upstate continued to display its stellar floor defense when defending its home gym, collecting, as a unit, 82 total digs in the match's three-set duration, an astonishing average of 27.3 digs per set. Through eight sets inside the G.B. Hodge Center in 2024, the Spartans register 201 digs, averaging 25.125 digs per set on its home floor.
 
Game Information
Score: USC Upstate 3; West Georgia 0 (25-19; 25-20; 25-23)
Records: USC Upstate (3-8; 0-0 Big South); West Georgia (6-5; 0-0 ASUN)
Location: G.B. Hodge Center | Spartanburg, S.C.
 
How It Happened
After earning the approbation of the Big South Conference for her efforts last week, senior libero Julia Gladhill opened the match showing why she'd garnered her second conference Libero of the Week honor as she—for the third time in the last four matches—picked up eight digs in the opening set. Leading a quartet of players with double-figure digs in the match, she kept up 24 balls (8.0 per set), surpassing the 20-dig mark for the third straight match.
 
Joining Gladhill in the quartet, freshman setter Kamyla Vega David, redshirt senior defensive specialist Caroline Cleveland, and freshman defensive specialist Hannah Campbell recorded 16, 16, and 12 digs, respectively. For Vega David—the reigning Big South Setter and Freshman of the Week—her 16 digs complemented 37 assists for her fourth consecutive double-double.
 
In front of the team's floor defense, Upstate's block logged its third-best single-match block total of the campaign, turning away nine West Georgia attempts. A trio of Spartans, junior middle blocker Alona Clinansmith, junior middle blocker Ady O'Grady, and graduate student outside hitter Allison Palmi, each totaled four blocks apiece to lead the Spartans.
 
Offensively, a pair of Spartans reached double-digit kills as Palmi and sophomore outside hitter Alyssa Hook collected 13 and 10 kills, respectively. Finishing just shy of double-digits, O'Grady added eight kills with junior right-side hitter Savannah Page adding seven terminations.
 
Notable

• Hitting its home court for the second time in 2024, USC Upstate plucked up another 82 digs, averaging 27.3 digs per set against West Georgia. Adding to their 119 digs versus Furman on Sep. 4, the Spartans total 201 digs at the G.B. Hodge Center this season, an average of 25.125 per set.
• Upstate's 82 digs in Thursday's match represent the seventh three-set match in the NCAA this season to see a team record 80 or more digs. The Spartans' 82 digs rank as the fourth most in a three-set match this season.

 
Up Next for the Spartans
Continuing the Spartan Classic, Upstate returns to action Saturday morning versus Idaho. First serve is set for 11 a.m. ET.
 
Connect with the Spartans 
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics 
Twitter | @UpstateVB | @UpstateSpartans 
Instagram | @UpstateVB | @UpstateSpartans 
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
 
INVEST IN CHAMPIONS - Join the Upstate Athletic Fund (UAF) and enjoy enhanced benefits for your support of all USC Upstate programs! Make your gift today, click here!
 
MORGAN SQUARE MADNESS (Oct. 3, 2024) - Click here for info on South Carolina's only FREE, open to the public, outdoor basketball tip-off party!  Click here for details for all of Family and Alumni Weekend at USC Upstate, Oct. 3-5!