CLINTON, S.C. – The Presbyterian College volleyball team (8-18, 2-10 Big South) dropped its penultimate home match of the season on Friday night (Nov. 6), suffering a three-set 25-15, 26-24, 25-22 defeat to USC Upstate at the Templeton Center.
Anisa Dorlouis led the Presbyterian with a double-double, coming away with 27 assists and 22 digs. Defensively, Celimar Hoyos and Julia Yurkovich also finished with double-digit digs, recording 12 and 11 respectively.
Courtney Williams led the Presbyterian offensive attack with 13 kills. Yurkovich added eight, while Ashley Miller contributed six.
At the net, Brittney Daphnis had a productive evening, producing four blocks for the PC. Dorlouis and Yurkovich tallied three apiece.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET ONE – USC UPSTATE 25, PC 15
- USC Upstate came out hot, building an 11-5 lead out of the gate to open the match. A kill by Anisa Dorlouis followed by a block by Julia Yurkovich and Brittney Daphnis helped Presbyterian cut into the early deficit.
- The Spartans extended their lead to eight in the middle of the set, going up 17-9 over Presbyterian.
- PC claimed three straight points after two kills by Emma McHatten in the closing points of the opening set, but USC Upstate claimed set one in the end 25-15.
SET TWO – USC UPSTATE 26, PC 24
- Presbyterian responded to begin the second set, taking a 5-4 lead after back-to-back blocks by Daphnis, Courtney Williams, and Ashley Dienes. The Spartans answered to retake the lead, claiming a five-point 17-12 advantage.
- USC Upstate held on to its five-point lead until kills by Dorlouis and Williams helped PC close the gap to just one down 23-22.
- The Spartans took the ensuing point to create two set point chances. Presbyterian fended off both set points with kills from Williams and Ashley Miller, but it was USC Upstate that ultimately came through, winning the final two points to grab the second set 26-24.
SET THREE – USC UPSTATE 25, PC 22
- The Blue Hose had the upper hand to start set three, claiming four of the first five points. The Spartans immediately answered, surging ahead to take a 14-9 lead.
- Presbyterian battled back to cut the deficit to two in the middle of the frame. Kills by Keira O'Donnell, Williams, and Yurkovich kept the Blue Hose right in it down 18-16.
- PC kept the momentum going down the stretch, going on a 6-1 run to take the lead up 22-21. However, USC Upstate claimed the last four points to close out the match, clinching the victory in Clinton.
NOTABLES
- Anisa Dorlouis posted her 17th double-double of the season, finishing with 27 assists and 22 digs. Her 22 digs are a season-high.
- Courtney Williams was terrific for the Blue Hose, tallying 13 kills and a .333 hitting percentage.
- Julia Yurkovich came away with a season-high 11 digs.
- Celimar Hoyos recorded 12 digs and two service aces for PC.
- Brittney Daphnis led the team with four blocks. This is the seventh time this season that she has logged at least four blocks in a match.
UP NEXT
Presbyterian will host UNC Asheville on Senior Day on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 7) at 2:00 p.m. on ESPN+.
