Clemson Starts Season 5-0 with Victory vs. NC A&T

CLEMSON, S.C. – In a match that had the entire 2025 roster appearing in at least one set, Clemson claimed a 3-1 (25-16, 25-13, 24-26, 25-18) win against North Carolina A&T (2-2) on Friday night inside Jervey Gym in front of 1,295 fans – the second largest crowd during the Simpson Kirr era. The Tigers have now opened the season 5-0 for the first time since starting 6-0 during the 2014 season.

The Tigers got their middles, Kate Hansen and Nil Okur, going early to open up the offense as the duo combined for six points in the opening set. That and the ability to capitalize on long rallies allowed Clemson to create a seven-point spread the Aggies weren’t able to bounce back from as Clemson claimed it, 25-16. The Tigers took that momentum into set two and were able to jump out to a 10-4 advantage through the first 14 combined points that forced NC A&T to call timeout. The Aggies cut the lead down to five, but Bianca Martinez, Kennedy Wagner and Katie Hurta contributed points down the stretch with either kills or blocks to help Clemson cruise to a 25-13 set two win.

The Aggies opened the third set on a 3-1 run, but Wagner provided a solo block and three kills to get the Tigers back in the set. Both sides traded points, with neither team gaining more than a two point advantage until NC A&T went on a three-point stretch. Clemson battled back with an ace from Mia McGrath and kills from McGrath and Wagner. After hitting 20 points each, the two sides traded points with Wagner and McGrath tallying back-to-back kills that brought the Tigers to match point, but NC A&T responded with three-straight points of its own to claim the set and force a fourth. 

In the fourth, the Tigers stormed ahead after they strung together a 10-3 run. NC A&T cut the lead down to five, but Wagner, Hurta and Hansen powered the Tigers’ offense to push the lead back to seven at 21-14. McGrath (kill) and Hansen (kill and ace) brought Clemson to match point, and Clemson claimed the match on a service error by the Aggies.

Tiger Leaders/Highlights:

• Points: Kennedy Wagner (22)
• Kills: Wagner (20 – .455 hitting percentage)
• Digs: McKenna Gildon (23)
• Assists: Katherine Sandt (35)
• Blocks: Kate Hansen (5)
• Aces: Hansen, Gildon, Mia McGrath & Addi Rains (1)
• Khaya Gordon made her Tiger debut in the first set – every player on the 2025 roster has now appeared in at least one set
• All 15 players on the 2025 roster appeared in at least one set
• 12 Tigers contributed at least one point
• Wagner finished with a career-high 20 kills
• Gildon finished with a career-high 23 digs
• Sandt clocked a double-double with 35 assists and 13 digs
• Clemson welcomed 1,295 fans into Jervey Gym, the second largest crowd during the Simpson Kirr era trailing only the South Carolina match in 2024 (1,500)

Up Next

The Tigers continue their month-long home stand on Tuesday, Sept. 9 when they welcome Georgia to Jervey Gym for the SEC/ACC Showdown at the Net. First serve is slated for 6 p.m. on ACCNX.