University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
6-3,0-0Big South
Western Carolina
4-8,0-0SoCon
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC Upstate | 25 | 25 | 21 | 27 | 3 |
| Western Caro. | 18 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 1 |
Spartans Take Down Western Carolina in Four
9/17/2026 8:50:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The USC Upstate volleyball team battled Western Carolina through four competitive sets Thursday evening at the Liston B. Ramsey Center, taking down the Catamounts by the final of 3-1.
USC Upstate received a strong offensive performance from Summer Kohler, who paced the Spartans with 18 kills to go along with 17 digs on the defensive side of the net. Savannah Page added 14 kills and hit .306, while Kensley Haneline recorded seven kills and Bri Brathol finished with five.
Kamyla Vega David directed the Upstate offense with 26 assists, while Sarah O'Connor added 10 helpers. Sophia Overholt anchored the defense with 29 digs, and the Spartans finished with 14.0 total team blocks and five service aces.
SET ONE
Western Carolina opened the match with an early 4-2 advantage before the Spartans responded. Upstate used kills from Kohler, Page and Brathol to take a 7-5 lead.
The Spartans then stretched the advantage to 11-7 after a Brathol kill and a block from Haneline. Western Carolina answered with a run to pull within 16-15.
However, Upstate regained control late. Page and Brathol delivered key kills during a 6-1 stretch that pushed the Spartans ahead 23-17. Haneline closed the set with a kill as Upstate took the opener, 25-18.
SET TWO
The second set featured several momentum swings. Western Carolina jumped ahead 5-1, but Upstate gradually chipped away.
Kohler and Page helped the Spartans pull within 14-12 before a block from Spivey and Haneline sparked another Upstate push. The Spartans eventually tied the set at 16-16.
The teams traded points down the stretch. Haneline and Kohler came through with important kills as Upstate moved ahead 21-18.
Western Carolina responded with a late rally, however, the Spartans closed the set on a 4-2 run to take it, 25-23.
SET THREE
Western Carolina came out quickly in the third, building an 8-4 lead. Upstate stayed within striking distance behind a trio of kills.
The Spartans then made their biggest push of the set. Trailing 14-10, Upstate erupted for seven straight points to take a 17-14 lead. Page delivered back-to-back kills during the run, while Kohler added another key point.
The teams remained close at 18-18 before Western Carolina regained the lead. The Catamounts scored the final four points to take the set, 25-21.
SET FOUR
The fourth set featured 15 tie scores and seven lead changes as USC Upstate looked to avoid a fifth and deciding set.
Western held an 8-7 lead early before the Spartans answered. The Catamounts later built a 19-15 advantage, but the Spartans responded with a pivotal 7-0 run.
Overholt sparked the comeback from the service line, including an ace, while Kohler supplied a pair of kills. A block from Kohler and Murray tied the set at 20-20.
The teams traded points from there. Upstate fought off set point at 24-22 and then took a 25-24 lead after back-to-back kills from Page and Kohler.
Western Carolina answered to tie the set at 25-25, however, Upstate would not be denied, taking the final two points to secure the 27-25 victory and the match.
UP NEXT
The Catamounts will visit Spartanburg and the G.B. Hodge Center on Friday evening as the two teams complete the second night of a home-and-home series. First serve is set for 6 p.m.
