ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The Presbyterian College volleyball team is set to embark on an action-packed week as they dive into the heart of Big South Conference play. With two challenging road games this weekend, the Blue Hose brace themselves for their first matchup tomorrow (Friday, September 29) at 6 p.m. against the UNC Asheville Bulldogs on the road, followed by a clash at the USC Upstate Spartans on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 4 p.m. to wrap up the weekend.
 
GAMEDAY INFO – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
Presbyterian (3-9, BSC: 1-0) vs. UNC Asheville (6-8, BSC: 0-1) – 6:00 p.m. (Asheville, N.C.)
WATCH – ESPN PLUS
LIVE STATS – Sidearmstats.com
 
GAMEDAY INFO – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
Presbyterian (3-9, BSC: 1-0) vs. USC UPSTATE (8-5, BSC: 1-0) – 4:00 p.m. (Spartanburg, S.C.)
WATCH – ESPN PLUS
LIVE STATS – Sidearmstats.com
 
 
BIG SOUTH WEEKLY HONORS
Presbyterian has had a great run recently, securing their last two victories against Georgia State and Charleston Southern. In the wake of their recent Big South win, the spotlight shines on two outstanding players from PC: freshman outside hitter Ashley Miller earned the Big South Freshman of the Week award for her performance against Charleston Southern. Miller recorded 16 kills, eight digs, and three blocks along with a service ace. Senior setter Kinsey Bailey also claimed Big South Player of the Week honors. Against Charleston Southern, she recorded 38 assists, 13 digs, five kills, and five service aces, while achieving a .333 hitting percentage.
 
A LOOK AT THE BLUE HOSE
Throughout the 2023 season the Blue Hose have had some standout stat leaders. Senior opposite Kasey Battle has 125 kills (2.6 kpg), 27 blocks, and 64 digs. Sophomore libero Sophia Del Valle has 163 digs (3.79 dpg), 37 assists, and 6 service aces. Sophomore setter Anna Baranski leads the team with 209 assists (4.98 apg), 14 service aces, and 103 digs. In their last matchup against Charleston Southern the Blue Hose recorded their best hitting percentage (.209) in any game this season.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – UNC ASHEVILLE
The Bulldogs enter Friday's game with a 6-8 record with wins over Alabama A&M, North Carolina Central, Maryland Eastern Shore, Marshall, South Carolina State, and UNC Greensboro. Over the first 14 matches this season UNC Asheville averaged 10.7 kills per set while hitting at .164 percent. The Bulldogs' stat leaders so far this season include Matilde Teixeira with 154 kills, Katie Nichols with 114 digs and 12 service aces, along with Ona Elkins with 159 assists (3.88 apg). Head coach Amber Haver is in her first year of coaching for UNC Asheville. Asheville leads the all-time series between the two teams, 20-11. The Blue Hose won the last three matchups against UNC Asheville. In their latest meetup senior opposite Kasey Battle led the team with 15 kills and recorded a .406 hitting percentage. Anna Baranski led the team with 39 assists hitting at .333 percent.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – USC UPSTATE
The Spartans enter the weekend with an 8-5 record with wins over Queens, Stonehill, South Carolina State, Georgia State, North Carolina A&T, Alabama A&M, North Florida, and UNC Asheville. Over their first 13 games, USC Upstate averages 11.7 kills per set while hitting at a .216 percent clip. The Spartans' stat leaders include Ashleigh Nicoll with 132 kills, Kayla Spangler with 400 assists (8.89), and Julia Gladhill with 131 digs. Coach Ali Skayhan is in her first year as the USC Upstate's head coach. Upstate leads the all-time series between the two teams, 11-8. In the last matchup on Oct. 22, 2022 the Blue Hose won 3-1. During this match sophomore setter Anna Baranski recorded 43 assists and 15 digs.