Clemson Falls to No. 3 Southern California, 3-0, on Sunday in Orlando

Sept. 4, 2011

ORLANDO, FL – The Clemson volleyball team fell to third-ranked Southern California on Sunday afternoon at the Orlando Volleyball Academy by a 3-0 (17-25, 18-25, 13-25) margin. Clemson dropped to 4-3 on the young season, but has a chance to bounce back quickly as they play South Carolina on Friday in Charleston.

“It’s a great opportunity to play teams like this, and it’s good for us to learn and keep getting better,” said head coach Jolene Jordan Hoover.

Clemson played No. 9 Florida and No. 3 Southern Cal on back-to-back days, the first such occurrence in school history.

Clemson will participate in the annual Carolina Classic, which includes the Tigers, Gamecocks, Winthrop Eagles, and College of Charleston Cougars.

Southern Cal All-American Alex Jupiter led all players with 18 kills and a match-high 40 swings. Clemson’s setters spread the ball around, with four players registering five or more kills. Freshman Karis Watson had a career-best six kills on 11 swings with just one error for a .455 mark.

Defensively, Clemson had four blocks, with Watson and Adeleye adding two each and Simmons and Alexa Rand notching a solo each. Natalie Patzin had 12 digs in her first career start at libero, while Serenat Yaz added a season-high nine as she makes her way back into the lineup.

As a team, the Tigers were held in check offensively by the taller Trojans. The Tigers hit .050 for the match, while the Trojans hit .305, including .389 in the second set. The Trojans were able to side out on 38 of Clemson’s 49 serves, stunting runs with solid passing and aggressive hitting.