CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson Tigers claimed the opening set and came back to force a fifth after taking set four, but ultimately dropped a five-set match (25-20, 21-25, 20-25, 25-16, 10-15) to Notre Dame on Friday evening inside Jervey Gym. This was the fourth five-set match the Tigers have played this season and the first since Sept. 18 against Georgetown. Following the loss, Clemson dropped to 16-13 (4-13 ACC), while Notre Dame moved to 10-15 (7-10 ACC).
The block powered the Tigers in the opening set as five different players contributed six total blocks. Kate Hansen led the way with three, all assisted, while Katherine Sandt and Nil Okur each had two, including a solo block each. Clemson pulled away with the set after going on an eight-point run that was highlighted by an ace by Mia McGrath, three kills from Hansen and two kills by Khaya Gordon. Despite Notre Dame cutting the spread down to two, the Tigers won the set, 25-20.
Notre Dame evened things in set two after the Fighting Irish finished with five blocks and a .343 hitting percentage. Mia Moore looked to answer for the Tigers with a solo block and kill midway through the set. Addi Rains added an ace alongside kills from Hansen and Sandt to cut the advantage down to two, but the Tigers dropped the set, 25-21.
Clemson and Notre Dame traded aces and scoring runs in the third set that had the Fighting Irish holding a 15-12 advantage at the media timeout. The Tigers leveled the set at 19-all with an ace from Claire Luoma and kills from Gordon and McGrath, but Notre Dame went on a 6-1 swing to claim the set.
The Tigers answered in the fourth with a defensive-minded game, clocking three blocks and 23 digs throughout the set. Powered by aces by Luoma and McKenna Gildon, as well as kills from Moore, McGrath and Hansen, the Tigers had an edge. Okur spurred a five-point stretch that helped Clemson roll to a 25-16 set win, forcing only the fourth five-set match during the 2025 campaign.
The Fighting Irish took the early lead in the fifth, but Hansen, Moore and Okur kept the Tigers within two points as the two programs traded sides at the media timeout. Despite Clemson’s efforts, Notre Dame went on a 5-4 run to claim the set, 15-10, and the match.
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Up Next
The Tigers return to Jervey Gym on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m. when they host No. 7 Louisville. Sunday’s match will also serve as Clemson’s Senior Day, where they will honor Nil Okur, Kate Hansen, Mia Moore, Mia McGrath and Bianca Martinez for their time and dedication to the Clemson program.
