CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson Tigers moved to 8-0 after defeating USC Upstate (5-4) in four sets (25-11, 24-26, 25-18, 25-23) on Friday evening inside Jervey Gym. The Tigers continued their best start in program history since 1999 after being led offensively by Kennedy Wagner and Kate Hansen. Milestones reached during the four-set match included Katherine Sandt surpassing 1,000 career assists and Mia McGrath clocking 800 career digs.
The Tigers rolled through the opening frame following a 10-point run with Sandt at the service line. Clemson maintained a minimum 10-point spread for the remainder of the set, even pushing it to 16 after a scoring stretch of kills from McGrath, Wagner and Hansen. The team finished with a .409 hitting percentage and three solo blocks by Wagner (two) and Nil Okur (one) to take set one, 25-11.
Set two was highlighted by Sandt surpassing 1,000 career assists. The redshirt sophomore spread the wealth offensively in the second set, but ultimately, the Spartans took set two, 26-24. With a slow start to the third, the Tigers needed offensive momentum from two-consecutive kills by Hansen that led to a 9-3 Clemson run for the lead. Hansen finished the set with six kills as Clemson took the advantage to the fourth set.
The two programs traded points to open the fourth set, but Clemson set itself apart with a six-point run behind a Sandt ace and multiple Wagner kills. The Spartans cut the Tigers’ lead down to two points, but Wagner and Nil Okur notched kills, and Clemson took advantage of USC Upstate errors, including a service error, to lock up the match.
Tiger Leaders/Highlights:
Up Next
Clemson concludes weekend action on Saturday, Sept. 13 with a matchup inside Jervey Gym against Wofford. First serve is scheduled for 4 p.m. on ACCNX. All matches inside Jervey Gym are free and open to the public.
