RALEIGH, N.C. – Redshirt sophomore Katherine Sandt (28 assists, 12 digs) posted her eighth double-double while senior Mia McGrath notched her sixth (13 kills, 15 digs) of the 2025 campaign, but it wasn’t enough as the Clemson Tigers (12-7, 0-7 ACC) fell in four sets (25-21, 12-25, 17-25, 17-25) to the NC State Wolfpack (10-7, 3-4 ACC) on Friday evening.
The Tigers jumped out to a strong start behind two different aces at the hands of Claire Luoma and Kate Simington. Nil Okur and Mia McGrath added kills that helped Clemson hold a 15-14 lead heading into the media timeout. Clemson continued on a four-point stretch coming out of the timeout followed by Simington, Okur and Katie Hurta recording kills that had NC State using both of its timeouts. The Tigers sealed the set victory, 25-21, with a kill by McGrath, who clocked five kills in the opening frame.
The Wolfpack responded by taking sets two and three to force despite McGrath continuing to lead the Tigers offensively. Addi Rains contributed an ace in the second set, while McGrath added one of her own in the third that ultimately helped the Tigers finish with a 4-2 advantage in the ace category on the night.
Okur, Hurta, McGrath and Mia Moore looked to provide a spark for the team offensively in the fourth, while Bianca Martinez and McGrath combined for a block to help Clemson take a 10-7 advantage. NC State responded with a couple of runs, but a block by Martinez and Katherine Sandt sent Clemson into the media timeout with a one-point advantage. Coming out of the timeout, the Wolfpack controlled the pace of play to take both the set and the match in four.
Tiger Leaders/Highlights:
Up Next
The Tigers continue their road stretch on Sunday, Oct. 19 at Wake Forest. Sunday’s match is scheduled for 1 p.m. and can be streamed on ACCNX.
