University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
5-2,0-0Big South
North Carolina Central
2-5,0-0MEAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC Upstate | 25 | 25 | 28 | 3 |
| N.C. Central | 22 | 22 | 26 | 0 |
Spartans Sweep N.C. Central in Three-Set Road Victory
9/11/2026 10:14:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
DURHAM, N.C. – The USC Upstate volleyball team battled through three competitive sets and came up clutch when it mattered most, sweeping N.C. Central, 3-0, Friday evening inside McDougald-McLendon Arena.
The Spartans (5-2) earned the straight-set victory by scores of 25-22, 25-22 and 28-26, overcoming early deficits in the opening set before rallying late to close out the third.
SET ONE | USC Upstate 25, N.C. Central 22
N.C. Central opened the match with a 5-0 run, but USC Upstate quickly settled in and began chipping away at the deficit. The Spartans used a 3-0 run to pull within 13-12 before the Eagles regained a four-point advantage at 18-14.
Upstate answered with a decisive 5-0 run, highlighted by kills from Savannah Page, Kensley Haneline, Summer Kohler and Tehillah Garrison, to take its first lead of the set at 19-18. The Spartans maintained the momentum down the stretch, closing the opening frame, 25-22.
SET TWO | USC Upstate 25, N.C. Central 22
The Spartans jumped out to a 6-1 advantage in the second set before N.C. Central battled back. The Eagles eventually took a 13-11 lead after a 5-1 run, but Upstate responded to even the set at 13-13.
After the teams traded points, Upstate used another important scoring surge late in the frame. Three kills from Page, along with a kill from Haneline and a service ace from Tien Murray, helped the Spartans build a 23-19 lead. Upstate closed the set, 25-22, to take a commanding 2-0 match advantage.
SET THREE | USC Upstate 28, N.C. Central 26
The third set featured a back-and-forth battle from start to finish. Upstate built a 9-5 lead and later led 16-12, but N.C. Central responded with four straight points to even the score.
The Eagles eventually took a 22-19 lead, but the Spartans answered with a late 4-0 run to regain a 23-22 advantage. N.C. Central tied the set again at 22-22, setting up a dramatic finish.
Kohler and Murray delivered timely kills as Upstate fought through multiple set points. With the score tied 26-26, an N.C. Central service error gave the Spartans a 27-26 advantage before Murray sealed the sweep with a service ace, giving Upstate the 28-26 victory.
SPARTAN STANDOUTS
Murray led the Spartans with 14.0 points, finishing with six kills, six service aces and two solo blocks. Kohler added 11 kills, while Haneline and Sophia Spivey each finished with seven kills.
Kamyla Vega David paced the Upstate offense with 17 assists, while Sarah O'Connor added 13. Sophia Overholt led the defensive effort with 18 digs, followed by Hannah Campbell with 11.
UP NEXT
The Spartans continue their weekend road trip Saturday when USC Upstate travels to Elon. First serve is set for 6 p.m.
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