Volleyball Drops Opener to USC Upstate

STATESBORO, Ga. – USC Upstate had three players register seven kills Friday afternoon, as the Spartans defeated Alcorn State by a score of 3-0 in the season-opener for both teams in nonconference volleyball action inside Hanner Fieldhouse in the Bash In The Boro event hosted by Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Georgia. The Spartans took the match on scores of 25-15, 25-21 and 25-12.
 
Alcorn State (0-1) used a strong display from outside hitter Makayla Wardlaw with a double-digit kills performance, as the junior from Montgomery, Alabama tallied 10 overall on the day. She also led the Braves with a 33.3 percent hitting average, adding a match-high tying four service aces and two digs in the process.
 
USC Upstate (1-0) claimed the opening set, 25-15, as the Spartans hit 41.3 percent in the frame, adding a 53.3 percent kills average to boot.
 
In an exciting second set, the Braves fell behind early-on before rallying to take a 12-10 lead, thanks in part to a block from freshman Demya Tate and a kill from middle blocker Faith Archibong. Alcorn would hold a 17-16 advantage in the second set after a service error from the Spartans' Ashleigh Nicoll.
 
However, USC Upstate responded with a 4-0 run, sparked by kills from Kennedy Lauck and Zelasia Edwards.
 
The Spartans eventually closed out the second set, 25-21, on the strength of a Julia Gladhill service ace.
 
Aside from Wardlaw's 10-kill outing, 2022 Preseason All-SWAC Second Team selection Mikenzie Young-Mullins and Archibong each registered five kills in the match. Freshman setter Ramona Pulu led the Purple and Gold with 14 assists in her collegiate debut, while classmate and libero Meagan Alfaro accounted for a team-high nine digs in what was also her first collegiate match.
 
USC Upstate was paced by Briana Strobert, Edwards and Nicoll with seven kills apiece. Emma McElveen recorded a match-high 18 assists, and it was teammate Kayla Spangler providing 11 assists in a two-setter system for the Spartans. Nicoll would complete her double-double in the match with 14 digs.
 
Alcorn will look to rebound Saturday when the Braves face host Georgia Southern at 12:30 p.m. CT, before closing out the Bash In The Boro against Stetson at 3 p.m. CT.
 
Live stats and links to streamed matches involving the host Eagles of Georgia Southern are available through the tournament central webpage which can be accessed here. Tickets for the Bash In The Boro event can also be purchased through the GSU athletics website available here.
 
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