SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Behind a 14.5-point performance from graduate Adria Powell, Clemson defeated Syracuse in three sets (25-23, 25-17, 25-15). The victory marks the first time the Tigers have defeated Syracuse since 2014, and only the second time in program history that Clemson has swept the Orange.
Powell’s 14.5 points came from 12 kills, two blocks (one solo, one assisted) and one ace. She was joined by freshman Kennedy Wagner adding 11 points off nine kills, two blocks (both assisted) and one ace. Defensively, Devan Taylor finished with a team-high 15 digs, while Kate Simington had four blocks (one solo, three assisted). Mckenna Slavik rounded out the stat categories with her 11th double-double adding 32 assists and 11 digs.
The Tigers and the Orange traded points for a majority of the opening frame. Behind four kills each from Kateryna Tkachenko and Wagner, Clemson pushed ahead. The Tigers were able to take the opening set after Wagner scored back-to-back points with a kill followed by an ace. A Syracuse attacking error sealed the 25-23 set victory for Clemson.
Clemson got off to a slow start in the second set, but quickly gained control after Powell, Slavik, Simington and Azyah Dailey picked up points down the stretch. Powell got things going with back-to-back points that included a kill and her 26th solo block of 2023. Slavik and Simington added kills that allowed Clemson to hold a three-point lead, and Dailey put the Tigers ahead by five following a kill. Powell and Wagner continued to produce points to finish the set with 9.5 and 9.0 points, respectively, but it was Wagner and Simginton that clinched the 25-17 set win with a combined block.
Syracuse kept the third set close resulting in Clemson calling timeout with both teams tied, 10-10. Following the timeout, Clemson went on a 10-3 run with Wagner, Powell and Slavik contributing kills. Sophomore Becca Micelle added an ace as the Tigers continued to push ahead. Clemson closed out the set and match on a 5-1 run that included a solo block from Simington and an ace from Slavik.
Up Next
Clemson continues its road stretch on Sunday, Oct. 29 at noon against Boston College in Chestnut Hills, Massachusetts on the ACC Network.
