CLEMSON, S.C. – For the first time since 1999, the Clemson Tigers open the season 7-0 after cruising to a 3-0 sweep of Elon (1-6) on Thursday evening inside Jervey Gym. The Tigers claimed their seventh win, fourth sweep, of the season after taking each set 25-13, 25-14 and 25-10.
Clemson was powered by 11 aces, the most in a single match since Nov. 4, 2022, when the Tigers finished with 14 against Florida State. Junior Addi Rains highlighted the Tigers with five aces, the most aces in a single-match by the Tigers since Kennedy Wagner tallied five at Tulane in 2022.
The Tigers dominated the match in the opening set with a .414 hitting percentage that included 14 kills, powered by four each from Wagner, Nil Okur and Kate Hansen. Clemson cruised to a 25-13 set victory behind these kills and two total aces from Rains and the set-point ace by Katherine Sandt.
Rains continued to dominate the service line, clocking two aces within the first seven Tiger points of set two that spurred Clemson’s seven-point run. This extended to 12 points behind additional aces from Claire Luoma and Hansen. As the Tigers switched up their lineup, Bianca Martinez led Clemson with five kills as the team hit .314 to guide Clemson to a two-set advantage with a 25-14 win.
Getting all 15 players on the 2025 roster into the match for the second time this season, the Tigers jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the third behind another two aces from Rains. Clemson continued to push the tempo behind kills from Kate Simington, Katie Hurta and Ecem Aksoy to finish off the Phoenix 25-10.
Tiger Leaders/Highlights:
Up Next
The Tigers continue their weekend at home by hosting USC Upstate in Jervey Gym on Friday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. on ACCNX.
