University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
9-13,2-9Big South
Gardner-Webb
15-11,5-6Big South
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardner-Webb | 26 | 20 | 25 | 27 | 12 | 2 |
| USC Upstate | 24 | 25 | 20 | 29 | 15 | 3 |
10/31/2026 9:05:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate volleyball battled back from a one-set deficit and outlasted Gardner-Webb in a five-set thriller Saturday afternoon at the G.B. Hodge Center, earning a 3-2 victory over the Runnin' Bulldogs. The Spartans claimed the match by scores of 24-26, 25-20, 20-25, 29-27 and 15-12.
The Spartans were led offensively by Sophia Spivey, who recorded 13 kills, while Savannah Page and Kensley Haneline each added 12 kills. Haneline was particularly efficient, hitting .333 while contributing six blocks. Sophia Overholt added 10 kills and a team-high 20 digs, while Kamyla Vega David and Sarah O'Connor combined for 49 assists.
The opening set featured several momentum swings, with Upstate building an early 7-4 advantage following a kill from Tien Murray and an attack error by Gardner-Webb. The Runnin' Bulldogs responded with an 8-4 run to take a 12-11 lead before the back-and-forth affair continued.
Upstate gained momentum after a scoring run of 6-1, building the advantge to 20-15 late. However, the Runnin' Bulldogs continued to battle as the remainder of the set saw four ties before Gardner-Webb finished the frame with a 26-24 win.
The Spartans responded in the second set, overcoming an early Gardner-Webb push to even the match. Upstate established a 6-4 advantage before the Runnin' Bulldogs battled back, eventually tying the set at 14-14.
Gardner-Webb then gained momentum, scoring consecutive points to take a 16-14 lead. Upstate answered with a pair of points to even the score at 16-16, and a block from Savannah Page and Tien Murray helped the Spartans regain the lead at 17-16.
The teams continued trading points before Upstate created separation late in the set. Leading 19-18, the Spartans scored three consecutive points to build a 22-19 advantage. Upstate maintained control down the stretch, extending the lead to 24-19 before closing out the 25-20 victory on a kill from Kensley Haneline.
Gardner-Webb took control early in the third set, building a 4-2 advantage before extending its lead to 8-6. The Runnin' Bulldogs continued to apply pressure, using a stretch of points to move ahead 12-8 and eventually build a 16-10 cushion. Upstate attempted to fight back, trimming the deficit to 17-12 and later 22-18, but Gardner-Webb maintained its advantage and closed out the set 25-20 to take a 2-1 match lead.
Facing a potential match-ending set, the Spartans responded with an early surge. After the teams were tied at 5-5, Upstate scored five consecutive points to take a 10-5 lead. The Spartans continued to build their advantage, leading 15-9 before Gardner-Webb began its comeback.
The Runnin' Bulldogs chipped away at the deficit, closing within 16-14 and eventually tying the set at 21-21. Gardner-Webb later reached set point at 24-23, but Upstate answered to force extra points. With the score tied at 27-27, Tehillah Garrison delivered a kill to put the Spartans ahead before a Gardner-Webb attack error sealed the 29-27 victory and forced a deciding fifth set.
Upstate carried its momentum into the deciding set, opening with a 3-1 advantage. Gardner-Webb battled back to tie the score at 3-3, but the Spartans regained control and built a 7-4 lead. Upstate held an 8-5 advantage at the changeover before the Runnin' Bulldogs cut the margin to 8-7.
A block from Tien Murray and Savannah Page helped the Spartans maintain their lead, and Kensley Haneline took over late with consecutive kills to push Upstate ahead 14-11. Gardner-Webb answered once more to make it 14-12, but Sophia Overholt finished the match with a kill off an assist from Kamyla Vega David, securing the 15-12 set victory and the 3-2 match win.
The Spartans return to the court on Friday, November 6, traveling to Clinton, S.C. to take on the Blue Hose of Presbyterian in a Big South contest. First serve is slated for 6 p.m.
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