CLEMSON, S.C. – For the first time since 2002, Clemson began its home slate with an 8-0 record and moved to 11-0 on the year after a four-set win (25-19, 23-25, 25-17, 25-11) against Norfolk State (0-11).
Clemson took an early lead in the opening set behind aces from Katherine Sandt and McKenna Gildon. The Tigers also got their middle hitters going with Kate Hansen and Nil Okur clocking three kills each. Sophomore Addi Rains added an ace to make it 17-9 in Clemson’s favor. Clemson extended it to 20-12 behind back-to-back kills from Khaya Gordon, and closed out the set off a Norfolk State service error.
In the second, both sides traded points until Norfolk State took a two-point advantage into the media timeout. The Spartans extended it to four points at 20-16 the Clemson was able to cut it down to one point after Clemson’s offense had kills from Okur, Sandt, Mia McGrath and Kennedy Wagner, but Norfolk State took set two, 25-23.
The Tigers held the five-point advantage heading into the media timeout in the fourth after a solo block by Wagner. Clemson extended it to eight points that would be averaged for the remainder of the set as the Tigers took a 2-1 advantage heading to the fourth. Similar to the third, Clemson took an early lead that reached as much as a seven-point spread. The Tigers closed out the set and match behind a four-point and five-point run that featured an ace from McGrath and multiple kills and solo block by Kate Simington to secure the 11th win of the season.
Tiger Leaders/Highlights:
Up Next
Clemson is back in action tonight to conclude the Big Orange Bash with a matchup against Charleston Southern. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and is available to stream on ACCNX. All home games inside Jervey Gym are free and open to the public.
