Dailey, McGrath Propel Tigers to Victory

CLEMSON, S.C. – Senior Azyah Dailey and junior Mia McGrath propelled the Clemson Tigers (9-17, 1-14 ACC) to a thrilling five-set victory (25-22, 17-25, 18-25, 25-20, 15-12) over the Boston College Eagles (12-15, 5-10 ACC) on Friday evening behind a 22- and 14-kill performance. Dailey finished the match with 24 points after adding two solo blocks, and McGrath added two aces to bring her point total to 16.

Pin attacker Neea-Maria Joki led the team in blocks with six total (two solo, four assisted) and added eight kills for 12 points. Middle hitter Kate Hansen rounded out the Tigers with double-digit points, clocking 11 behind six kills, five blocks (one solo, four assisted) and two aces. Katherine Sandt led the team with 40 assists.

Defensively, Indigo Young each recorded a pair of solo blocks and an assisted block to help contribute to Clemson’s 12 total blocks on the night. Four Tigers hit 10+ digs for the first time since October 16 when Clemson took Georgia Tech to five sets with McGrath leading the way with 18. Devan Taylor followed her lead with 14 digs, while Sandt and McKenna Gildon had 12 and 10 digs, respectively, to help the Tigers to 78 total digs, their sixth 75+ dig effort on the season.

The Tigers started off in a tightly contested first set that featured six tied scores and five lead changes that they would ultimately win, 25-22. Dailey set the pace offensively for the Tigers, recording seven kills in the first with a .294 clip. Joki and Young followed suit recording three kills each, while McGrath and Hansen each posted a pair of their own kills. Defensively, Taylor and Sandt tallied five digs apiece on the set to help the Tigers out-dig the Eagles, 24 to 18, with Sandt notching an additional 12 assists. The front court duo of Young and Hansen each recorded a solo block to contribute Clemson’s three total blocks on the set.

Set two had Dailey reaching double-digit kills for the 10th time this season while putting up a solo block. Joki added an additional pair of kills while Sandt and Addi Rains each notched a pair of digs. Sandt and Hansen recorded the first aces of the match for the Tigers, but the Eagles would tie up the match at one all with a 25-17 victory.

Hansen and Dailey set the pace for the offense in the third set with three kills each, with Dailey also recording a solo block and Hansen tallying her second ace of the match. McGrath also had an ace while matching Taylor with four digs each. Three digs from Sandt solidified her seventh double-double on the year with the setter also notching a pair of kills in the set. Boston College ultimately won the set, 25-18, thanks to out blocking the Tigers, 5-1.

With the Tigers backs against the wall, McGrath led the offensive effort with eight kills and an ace to win a tight fourth set, 25-20. With her eight kills on the set, McGrath recorded her 11th double-digit kill match of the season while her two digs that set helped her record her sixth double-double of the year. Dailey was equally impressive in the set, recording four kills with a .500 hitting percentage. Young and Joki each assisted for a block and grabbed their own solo blocks while Joki put up a pair of kills and a set-high four digs.

In a winner-take-all fifth set, Dailey shined offensively with five kills, that included the match-point crosscourt kill. McGrath showed her versatility with three kills and seven digs, and the front court duo of Hansen and Joki each recorded two assisted blocks. Joki also notched an additional solo block to help the Tigers out block the Eagles in the fifth and secure the win.

The Tigers return to the court on Sunday at noon when they host Syracuse on ACC Network. Sunday’s match will also serve as Clemson’s Senior Day, where the Tigers will honor six student-athletes for their time with the program.