CHARLESTON, S.C. – College of Charleston beat USC Upstate in straight sets (26-24, 25-14, 25-18) Saturday morning it its first match of the day.
 
Emily Banitt's 16 kills led the way for the Cougars, who improve to 3-2 on the season. Ady O'Grady recorded five blocks for the Spartans, who are now 0-6.
 
Defensively for Charleston, Tynley Smeltzer posted 17 digs while Hannah Scott finished with 16 and 30 assists, good for her third career double-double.
 
WHEN THE GAME WAS DECIDED:

• Down 11-12 in the third set, Emily Dykes collected a ball near the scorer's table, setting it over the net for the kill to level the set at 12. The Cougars never looked back, putting together a 14-6 run to secure the match victory.

 
CRITICAL POINTS AGAINST USC UPSTATE:

• Charleston out-paced USC Upstate in kills (44-28), hitting percentage (.234 - .103), digs (61-36) and blocks (8-6).
• Head coach Jason Kepner won a pair of challenges, giving him a 3-1 record in 2024 with the green card.
• Caitlyn Callahan and Scott collected four blocks apiece while Banitt and Dykes both garnered a pair of stops.
• Charleston had at least 14 kills in all three sets and had a .440 attack percentage in the dominant second set.
• All three set victories ended in Cougar kills.

 
OF NOTE:

• Charleston now holds a 3-1 overall record against USC Upstate. All three victories have come as sweeps.
• Banitt has led the team in kills in three of the five contests.
• Callahan has 11 kills in the two games of the CofC Classic. 

UP NEXT:
Charleston wraps up the CofC Classic with a 7 p.m. opening serve against Pacific inside TD Arena.
 
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