Photos by Josh Priddy, Clemson Athletic Communications
CLEMSON, S.C. – Florida State’s Payton Caffrey, the reigning ACC Player of the Year, posted a match-high 20 kills to lead the Seminoles to a 3-1 (25-15, 15-25, 25-18, 25-21) victory in Jervey Gym Sunday afternoon. The Tigers were led by freshman setter Mckenna Slavik, who dished out a match-high 43 assists along with four blocks, and sophomore middle blocker Ava Pritchard, who registered nine kills, three blocks and a .533 hitting percentage (9-1-15). With the loss, Clemson’s four-match winning streak came to an end.
Clemson dominated the first set – 25-15 – as the Tigers sided-out on 14-of-16 Seminole serves. Clemson utilized a 6-0 run with Slavik behind the service line for five unanswered Tiger points that included a Slavik service ace. Kaylin Korte continued her offensive charge as she posted four of her 14 kills on the match in the opening set and hit .333. Pritchard pummeled four kills on five attempts and no errors to hit .800, along with one block assist. In addition to her strong serving in game No. 1, Slavik tallied 15 assists and led Pritchard and the Clemson offense to collectively hit .429 for the set.
The Seminoles evened the match, 1-1, after embarking on a 13-2 run early in the set before going on to capture a 25-15 second set win. The Tigers were out-hit by FSU .344 to .027 in the second as Clemson struggled, siding out on just 33 percent of Seminole serves. Solei Thomas led all Clemson hitters for game No. 2, posting four of the Tigers’ 10 kills in the second set.
Coming out of the break, FSU jumped out to a 17-10 lead to open the third. The Seminoles sustained their seven-point lead before taking game No. 3, 25-18. Caffrey posted seven kills in the third and hit .600 on 10 swings. For the set, Clemson was led by Thomas, who registered kills on four of her five attacks with no errors.
A 7-0 FSU run – once again early in the set – proved to be the difference in game No. 4. After the Seminoles secured their largest lead (14-5) of the set, the Tigers chipped away at the FSU lead, cutting it to three (18-15), before FSU signaled for time. Coming out of the huddle, Clemson could not shrink the deficit as the Seminoles outlasted Clemson in fourth, 25-21.
Up next, Clemson (10-11, 4-6 ACC) hits the road as it heads to NC State on Friday, Nov. 1 and North Carolina on Sunday, Nov. 3. Friday’s contest against the Wolfpack is slated for 7 p.m., while Sunday’s first serve against the Tar Heels is scheduled for 1 p.m. For the Tigers’ complete 2019 schedule, click here.
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