MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Beginning a new campaign with the team's longest road trip—in terms of mileage—of the 2025 season, USC Upstate, looking to build upon the momentum of last season, the Spartans displayed the toughness that has become their trademark in the team's season opener at Memphis. The Spartans and Tigers engaged in a tight-fought bout in both squads' season opener, with the hosts narrowly edging Upstate in a five-set affair.
 
Featuring a roster with a solid mix of returners and newcomers, Upstate's opener provided an opportunity for seven new Spartans to make their debuts as redshirt junior defensive specialist Emma DeSensi, junior middle blocker Cora Hamilton, freshman middle blocker Kensley Haneline, freshman outside hitter Summer Kohler, junior right-side hitter Katia Nikolic, freshman libero Sophia Overholt, and freshman outside hitter Morgan Powell debuted Friday morning.
 
Game Information
Score: Memphis 3; USC Upstate 2 (22-25; 23-25; 25-18; 25-23; 16-14)
Records: USC Upstate (0-1; 0-0 Big South); Memphis (1-0; 0-0 American)
Location: Elma Roane Fieldhouse | Memphis, Tenn.
 
How It Happened
Looking to build upon its preseason rankings as year three of the Ali Skayhan era of Upstate volleyball commenced, the team's determination was evident in an all-around effort, with standout performances from players throughout the team's lineup—one featuring a blend of returners and newcomers.
 
Dictating the pace offensively, reigning Big South Freshman of the Year, sophomore setter Kamyla Vega David dished out 34 helpers, surpassing the 30-assist mark for the 20^th time in her career. The preseason All-Big South selection also chipped in 11 digs and two service aces, registering her 20^th career double-double.
 
Another preseason All-Big South honoree, senior middle blocker Ady O'Grady posted a team-best .440 hitting efficiency as she collected 12 kills on 25 swings against the Tigers. Defensively, she tallied five total blocks, doing so for the 23^rd time in her career, tying a career-high with two solo blocks to complement her three block assists.
 
A pair of debuting freshmen headlined the Spartans in the box score as outside hitter Summer Kohler topped Upstate in kills and libero Sophia Overholt led the Spartans in digs. Kohler closed the match with 14 kills, becoming the first true freshman with double-figure kills in their debut since Madison Haake and Callie Yeargin in 2015. The first true freshman with double-digit digs in her debut for the Spartans since Jaci Drinnon in 2022, Overholt collected a team-best 17 balls.
 
In their first action in an Upstate uniform, freshman outside hitter Morgan Powell and freshman middle blocker Kensley Haneline finished with seven kills apiece.
 
In service, the Spartans landed 11 service aces, hitting double-figures in the category for the second straight match dating to last season. Sophomore defensive specialist Hannah Campbell paced the unit with a career-high three winners. In total, seven Upstate servers earned at least one ace with career-high totals from Campbell, redshirt junior defensive specialist Emma DeSensi (two), sophomore defensive specialist Brielle Ellis (one), Kohler (one), and Overholt (one).
 
Notable

• Earning the start at the libero spot in her USC Upstate debut, Sophia Overholt becomes the first true freshman to earn a start at the position since Jaci Drinnon on Oct. 14, 2022. Overholt also becomes the first true freshman with 10-plus digs in her debut since Drinnon (12) versus Stetson on Aug. 27, 2022.
• Racking up 14 kills in her debut, Summer Kohler became the first true freshman with 10 or more terminations in her Upstate debut since Madison Haake (16) and Callie Yeargin (12) versus UNC Asheville on Aug. 28, 2015.
• Seven Spartans made their USC Upstate debuts versus Memphis as Emma DeSensi, Cora Hamilton, Kensley Haneline, Kohler, Katia Nikolic, Overholt, and Morgan Powell each debuted.

 
Up Next for the Spartans
The Spartans continue play at the Rumble at the Roane Friday afternoon, returning to action on the tournament's opening day against Tennessee State at 5 p.m. ET.
 
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