University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
6-8,0-1Big South
USC Upstate
8-5,1-0Big South
Volleyball drops Big South opener to Upstate
09.23.2023 | Women's Volleyball
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The UNC Asheville volleyball team traveled to USC Upstate Saturday afternoon for its BIg South Conference opener and fell to the Spartans in three sets (25-21, 25-21, 25-17).
Saturday's contest kicked off the Ingles I-26 Rivalry between Asheville and Upstate. With Asheville's loss, Upstate takes a 3-0 lead in the competition.
ON THE COURT
Asheville took an early 5-3 lead over the Spartans in the first set, but Upstate quickly bounced back, going on a 4-0 run to jump ahead 8-6. From there, Upstate held its lead for the remainder of the set, extending it out by as many as four points for a 25-21 win. Asheville recorded 15 kills, compared to Upstate's 10, but the Spartans took advantage of 11 attack errors while only committing four.
Upstate got off to a solid start in the second set, taking an early 8-2 lead. Asheville attempted a late set battle, bringing the score within two points (23-21) following a kill from Matilde Teixeira and an attack error from Upstate, but the Spartans would go on to score the final two points to take a 2-0 match lead.
The Bulldogs did not lay down in the third set, as Asheville quickly jumped ahead 7-3, but Upstate quickly responded, going on a 4-1 run to bring the score within one (8-7). Asheville extended its lead back out to three, but Upstate responded with a 10-2 run to jump ahead 17-12. Upstate went on to win the final set 25-17 and earn the sweep.
FINAL STATS
Teixeira led Asheville with her first double-double of the season, as she recorded 10 kills and 11 digs. Ona Elkins anchored the offense with 18 assists, adding on two service aces.
UP NEXT
Asheville will be back in action next Friday, Sept. 29, as they return to the Justice Center to face Presbyterian at 6 p.m.
About Women's Athletics Presenting Partner First Bank
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