Volleyball Battles Back, Pushing Unbeaten Clemson to Four Sets Friday Evening

Friday, September 12

Clemson, S.C.

6:00 p.m.

University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics

5-4,0-0Big South

Clemson

8-0,0-0ACC

USC Upstate

Clemson

Photo by: Emma Hudson

9/12/2025 11:08:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

CLEMSON, S.C. – On the road inside the Palmetto State for the first time this season, USC Upstate volleyball shook off a slow start Friday evening, responding by pushing Clemson in the three tightly-contested sets that followed in a four-set affair. The Spartans fighting back from a 25-11 setback in the opening frame to extend the match to four sets, joining North Carolina A&T as the only non-Southeastern Conference team to take a set off the unbeaten Tigers.

Game Information
Score: Clemson 3; USC Upstate 1 (25-11; 24-26; 25-18; 25-23)
Records: USC Upstate (5-4; 0-0 Big South); Clemson (8-0; 0-0 ACC)
Location: Jervey Gym | Clemson, S.C.

How It Happened
Part of a balanced offensive effort, four Upstate attackers collected nine or more kills versus Clemson, three of whom reached double-figure termination. The match marked the third instance—coming in three of the team's past four games—to see three players register 10 or more kills as freshman outside hitter Summer Kohler (11), junior outside hitter Alyssa Hook (10), and senior middle blocker Ady O'Grady (10) reached or surpassed the mark.

Junior right-side hitter Katia Nikolic rounded out the foursome of attackers with nine or more kills, tying her career-high with nine terminations. She joined Hook in tallying a season-high kill total. From her setter position, sophomore Kamyla Vega David passed out 35 assists.

Friday's match also featured three Spartans registering double-figure digs, two of whom completed double-doubles. Headlining the trio, freshman libero Sophia Overholt picked up a career-high-tying 19 balls, leading all players in the match. Vega David and Kohler plucked up 15 and 10 digs, respectively, earning their second and sixth double-doubles of the year.

In service, Upstate landed six service aces, the most winners against the Tigers this season. Redshirt junior defensive specialist Emma DeSensi tied a career-high with two key aces, both coming to close out the Spartans' second-set victory.

Notable

Earning the set two victory Friday evening, Upstate is the second non-Southeastern Conference program to take a set off the unbeaten Tigers this season. The Spartans join North Carolina A&T in the feat.

Up Next for the Spartans
Closing out the team's three-game week, Upstate returns to the G.B. Hodge Center Saturday afternoon against Elon. Match time is set for 5 p.m. ET.

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