COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Clemson Volleyball program (1-0) opened the 2025 campaign with a three-set sweep (25-19, 25-15, 25-23) against the Campbell Camels (0-1) on Friday afternoon in the first game of the Gamecock Classic. This marked the second consecutive year the Tigers have opened with a sweep (Aug. 30, 2024 – vs. Loyola Chicago) and was the 21st sweep for head coach Jackie Simpson Kirr at the helm of the Clemson program.
The Tigers and Camels stayed within a two-point stretch for a majority of the first set before Clemson went on a 5-1 run that proved to be too much for Campbell to come back from as Clemson took the opening frame, 25-19. The second set started in the same fashion with the Tigers hitting their stride. The true turning point of the match was when Clemson strung together 10-straight points with Mia McGrath at the service line, while Kennedy Wagner dominated the outside attack. The duo, alongside Kate Hansen, helped seal the 25-15 set win.
The Tigers completed the sweep in the third set in a comeback fashion. The Camels held the advantage until Clemson went on a five-point run with kills from Hansen, Wagner and McGrath to tie it at 12-all and again at 15-all. The two programs traded points for the remainder of the set until Katherine Sandt and Wagner tallied back-to-back kills that had Campbell on its heels that allowed Wagner to close out the 25-23 set with her 14th kill.
Tiger Leaders/Highlights:
Up Next:
The Tigers continue opening weekend action in Columbia on Saturday, August 30 at 7 p.m. against East Tennessee State.
