CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson Volleyball (8-8, 0-5 ACC) kept pace with Virginia (14-2, 4-1 ACC) for all three sets but wasn’t able to capitalize, as the Cavaliers took Friday night’s match in three sets (20-25, 19-25, 21-25).
Clemson was led by junior Mia McGrath, who tallied 8.5 points off seven kills and two blocks (one solo, one assisted). Freshman Lejla Sara Hadziredzepovic and sophomore Kate Hansen each added seven points, while Audrey Armbruster and Katherine Sandt finished with 16 and 15 assists, respectively. Hansen led the Tigers defensively with three blocks (one solo, two assisted), and Devan Taylor finished with 17 digs, her 14th match of the year in double digits.
Clemson and Virginia traded points to open the match, but the Cavaliers were able to string together a six-point run to take a lead. Following back-to-back solo blocks from Hansen and McGrath, and kills from Indigo Young and Neea-Maria Joki, the Tigers were able to battle back within two points. Hadziredzepovic and McGrath added two kills each down the stretch, but it wasn’t enough to catch Virginia, who took the set, 25-20.
The Tigers opened the second set with a 7-5 advantage after Joki, Hansen and Young provided early kills, and Hansen and Azyah Dailey combined for a block. Both sides continued to push the tempo, but Virginia gained an advantage with a kill, ace and bad set by the Tigers. Clemson kept pace with the Cavaliers, including going on a three-point run to cut the score down to one point, but Virginia scored seven of the last nine points to take set two, 25-19.
Virginia looked to run away with the match in the third set by once again claiming an early lead, but the Tigers fought back with kills from Kennedy Wagner and Hansen, as well as back-to-back points from Dailey that included a solo block. Joki and Sandt added aces, the first of the match for Clemson, and the Tiger middles got good looks with kills from Hansen and Young. Despite closing the gap, the Cavaliers were able to take the set, 25-21, to take the match.
Up Next
The Tigers return to Jervey Gym on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. when Clemson hosts Virginia Tech for its Dig Pink match on ACCNX.
