SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Queens volleyball picked up a gritty road win on Wednesday evening, taking down USC Upstate 3–1 (19–25, 26–24, 34–32, 25–18) inside the G.B. Hodge Center on Wednesday evening. With the victory, the Royals improve to 3–1 on the season while the Spartans fall to 2–2.
The Royals dropped the opening frame 25–19 as Upstate's Ady O'Grady powered her side with a .514 hitting percentage on the night. Queens responded with resilience, erasing multiple late deficits in set two before edging the Spartans 26–24 to even the match.
The third set proved to be the turning point. In a marathon frame that featured 18 ties and nine lead changes, Queens outlasted Upstate 34–32 behind timely kills from Mia McMillen (14 kills) and Elizabeth Layson (17 kills, .519). Tilley Collins added three aces and a match-high 17 digs, while setters Megan Kelly (27 assists) and Tyler Peluso (20 assists, 19 digs) orchestrated the offense.
Carrying the momentum, Queens controlled the fourth set from start to finish. The Royals hit .237 in the frame and sealed the win with balanced contributions across the front row. Defensively, the Royals totaled 13 team blocks, led by Layson (7) and Lauren Stiles (4).
Queens finished the night with 61 kills at a .217 clip, adding eight aces and 67 digs. Layson's 21 points and McMillen's production proved vital, while Ellis Sargent chipped in nine kills.
Upstate was paced by O'Grady's 20 kills and 22 points, with setter Kamyla Vega David dishing out 54 assists. Summer Kohler added 19 kills, but Queens' defense kept the Spartans in check down the stretch.
"Tyler Peluso led us in digs as a backrow setter, that doesn't happen often. She's really worked hard to make defense a priority. Elizabeth Layson was unreal tonight. She couldn't be stopped," Matt Stolz said of the match. "The girls had faith that she could do anything. Lauren stiles making her college debut with 6 points in 3 sets and did an outstanding job. The girls truly believe in each other and the culture of this team is what helps them push through adversity and tough moments."
The win marks Queens' first win against USC Upstate in program history. The Royals had lost their last seven meetings with the Spartans, dating back to 1994.
"Very proud to make history," Stolz said. "Our focus now shifts to the weekend where we will see some great opponents."
UP NEXT
Next, the Royals will head to Atlanta to play in the GSU Invitational beginning on Sept. 5.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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