South Carolina volleyball hosts No. 23 Vanderbilt on Friday night, closing a three-match homestand with its second straight matchup against a ranked team. The Gamecocks are looking to rebound from two home losses; Vanderbilt arrives with a strong record and top-ranked SEC hitting and serving numbers.

By the Numbers
  • South Carolina: 9-11 overall, 2-8 in the SEC.
  • Vanderbilt: 15-3 overall, 6-3 in the SEC; ranked No. 23.
  • Vanderbilt leads the SEC in hitting percentage (.291) and aces per set (1.98).
  • South Carolina ranks third in the SEC in blocks per set (2.49).
  • First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30.
Yes, But

Vanderbilt is the stronger team on paper, but South Carolina won the programs’ only previous meeting, 3-1 in Nashville last season.

State of Play
  • South Carolina lost to Missouri and No. 14 Texas last week, but out-blocked Texas 9-5.
  • Olivia Borgman led the Gamecocks in kills in both matches, while Lilly Gillespie led the team in digs.
  • Vanderbilt’s six-match winning streak ended with a 3-1 loss to then-No. 9 Tennessee.
What's Next

The teams meet at the Carolina Volleyball Center, with the match streaming on SEC Network+. Fans are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes; trick-or-treating is planned after the match.

Bottom Line

Vanderbilt brings elite conference-level offense, but South Carolina has a prior head-to-head win and a blocking strength that could help it challenge the ranked visitors at home.