Charleston Southern University Athletics
12-14,4-9Big South
USC Upstate
10-14,3-10Big South
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC Upstate | 28 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 11 | 2 |
| Charleston So. | 26 | 16 | 27 | 25 | 15 | 3 |
11/7/2026 9:20:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
CHARLESTON – Charleston Southern volleyball rallied from a two-set deficit Saturday night, winning three consecutive sets to earn a thrilling 3-2 (26-28, 16-25, 27-25, 25-21, 15-11) Big South Conference victory over USC Upstate inside Buccaneer Fieldhouse.
The Buccaneers showcased their resilience throughout the five-set battle, overcoming a narrow first-set loss and a second-set setback before putting together a determined comeback. Brynn Minter led the offensive attack with 21 kills and 13 digs, while Surima Akat added 18 kills on a .289 hitting percentage. Emersyn Reiter also reached double figures with 12 kills, hitting a .310.
Charleston Southern opened the match with a competitive first set that featured several momentum swings. After trailing 6-4, the Buccaneers used back-to-back kills from Minter and a Grace Smith kill to take a 7-6 advantage. CSU continued to trade points with the Spartans, eventually building a 13-12 lead behind a Faith Burch kill. CSU maintained its advantage late, reaching set point at 24-23 on a Minter kill. The teams continued trading points deep into extra points, with Minter delivering another kill to tie the set at 25-25 before Upstate secured the final three points for a 28-26 set win.
The Spartans took the second set, 25-16, despite an encouraging start from the Buccaneers. CSU opened with three straight points, including kills from Reiter and Akat, and later used a Lowry kill to take a 5-3 lead. Upstate responded with a lengthy run to create separation, but Charleston Southern continued to battle. A three-point stretch from Naya Martinez's service rotation featured kills from Akat and Minter, along with an Upstate attack error, trimming the deficit to 17-13. Akat added two more kills down the stretch, but the Spartans held on to take a two-set advantage.
Charleston Southern began its comeback in a pivotal third set, overcoming an early five-point deficit to claim a 27-25 victory. Trailing 5-1, the Buccaneers quickly found their rhythm behind a Minter kill, a pair of blocks involving Emma Bednarek, and a Sutton kill. Presley Morris then helped fuel a four-point serving run that included a Bednarek block, a Sutton kill, another Bednarek block and an ace to give CSU its first lead at 6-5. The Buccaneers continued to build momentum, with Akat and Bednarek contributing scores before Sutton added an ace. A Lowry kill capped another stretch of strong play as CSU pushed its lead to 15-9.
After the Spartans pulled even at 21-21, Minter and Reiter produced back-to-back kills to restore a two-point cushion. The teams traded points to reach 24-24, and Reiter came through with two more kills in the closing stretch, including the set-winning point, to send the match to a fourth set.
The Buccaneers carried that momentum into the fourth, taking a 25-21 decision to force a fifth set. CSU responded to an early Upstate point with three straight, highlighted by a Minter kill and an attack error forced by the Buccaneer defense. The teams traded points through the middle of the set, with Bednarek, Smith, Reiter and Akat all contributing kills. A Sutton service ace helped CSU regain an 11-9 advantage, while Reiter added two more kills as the Buccaneers continued to keep pace. With the score tied at 15-15, Minter and Page traded kills before CSU began to create separation. Reiter's kill and a block from Reiter helped the Buccaneers move ahead 19-17. After Upstate closed within one, Reiter and Akat answered with consecutive kills, and Minter followed with another point before an Upstate attack error sealed the 25-21 win.
With the match on the line, Charleston Southern delivered in the fifth set, securing a 15-11 victory. Upstate scored the opening two points, but Reiter answered with a kill before Akat and Minter helped the Buccaneers tie the set at 3-3. CSU continued to trade points with the Spartans, with Akat and Reiter providing key scores to keep the Buccaneers within striking distance. Trailing 8-6, Charleston Southern received a kill from Bednarek before Reiter added another point. The Buccaneers then took control, with Reiter delivering consecutive kills to help CSU move ahead 12-9. Akat added another kill, and after Upstate pulled within two, Minter finished the match with a kill off an assist from Cara McLean to secure the comeback victory.
Notables:
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Brynn Minter led the Buccaneers with a 21-kill and 13-dig double-double. She also led the team with a staggering 74 attacking attempts.
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Surima Akat contributed 18 kills while hitting an impressive .289 for the match.
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Emersyn Reiter added 12 kills and posted a .310 hitting percentage, providing a major offensive spark in the comeback.
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Tristin Sutton recorded a double-double with 33 assists and 18 digs.
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Cara McLean chipped in 21 assists to help facilitate the Buccaneers' 68-kill performance.
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Presley Morris paced the defensive effort with 20 digs, while Naya Martinez added 19.
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CSU's 107 total digs is now tied for the fifth most in a single CSU volleyball match in program history.
Up Next:
The Bucs will be back next Friday, November 13th, against Presbyterian College. The match will take place at 6:00 PM at Buccaneer Fieldhouse, will be broadcast on ESPN+, and will serve as the VolleyBuc program's Senior Night.
For all the most up-to-date coverage involving CSU Volleyball, follow us on Instagram and X/Twitter @csubucs_vb.
