DALLAS, Texas – The Clemson Tigers (12-4, 0-4 ACC) fell to the No. 11 SMU Mustangs (10-5, 2-3 ACC) in three sets (16-25, 18-25, 15-25) on Sunday afternoon during the second leg of Clemson’s’ first ACC road trip of the season.
The first set started off close. A pair of kills from Mia McGrath along with aces from McKenna Gildon and Katherine Sandt highlighted Clemson’s first 10 points of the set and kept the Tigers within two. Blocks from Kate Hansen, Mia Moore, Sandt and McGrath and a kill by Moore led to Addi Rains notching an ace and secured Clemson its first lead of the set, but the Mustangs took the set following a 10-point run.
Similarly to the first set, the second was a battle for the first 25 combined points. Khaya Gordon and McGrath had a pair of kills each to start the set with Moore adding a kill of her own. Sandt put up a kill and an ace, while Gordon, McGrath and Hansen all recorded kills down the stretch. Despite the combined effort, it wasn’t enough as SMU pulled away for the second set victory.
Gordon continued her hot streak into the third set. The junior recorded a block and a kill for the first two points for the Tigers. A kill from Moore and a pair from McGrath allowed Clemson to keep pace with SMU through the first 20 combined points. The Mustangs would secure 12 of the final 19 points to win the set and the match.
Tiger Leaders/Highlights:
Up Next
The Tigers return to Jervey Gym for a two-game homestand beginning Friday, Oct. 10 when they host No. 25 North Carolina at 6 p.m. on ACCNX. The weekend concludes on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. when Clemson hosts Duke on ACCNX. All home games inside Jervey Gym are free and open to the public.
