GREENSBORO - Even though the North Carolina A&T volleyball team lost to S.C. Upstate 3-0 (25-10, 16, 16) Wednesday night at Corbett Sports Center, the Aggies received some positive signs from players who have not been in the forefront this season.

Freshmen Murphye Williams and Devonte' Reese put in some valuable time off the bench for the Aggies against the Spartans. Reese stepped in and had three kills, four digs and a block in two games played. Williams added a kill, dig and a block to give the Aggies more depth than they have had most of the season.

Mia Gray led the Aggies with five kills, four service aces, five digs and one block. Katie Downey and Morgan Thomas led the Spartans with eight kills apiece. Cori Harris added six kills and 12 digs.

The Aggies jumped out to an 8-4 lead in the second set thanks to an Amber Inman kill. The Spartans rallied thanks to an 8-2 run ignited by block assists from Downey and Mindy Quimby. Upstate lost its lead as an attack error from Emily Sanders and a kill by Gray tied the set at 12.

Upstate pulled away as two Aggie attack errors helped the Spartans take an 18-13 lead. In the third set, the Spartans jumped out to a 4-0 lead. But strong play from Reese and Williams gave the Aggies a charge. Reese's kill moved the Aggies to within one at 4-3.

Upstate pulled away again with an 11-5 lead, but a Williams kill put the Aggies to within two at 13-11. Kills by Kelsie Queen and Downey ignited a 4-0 run for Upstate that put the match away.

The Aggies (2-27) return to action Friday night when they host conference foe Bethune-Cookman at 6.