CLEMSON, S.C. – Anika Groom highlighted the night for the Tigers in the team’s 3-1 win with 18 kills and a total of 19 points. The Tigers dominated on defense with 18 team blocks, the most since 2014 by Clemson, led by Talea Mitchell with a career-best 8.0.
How It Happened:
Anika Groom led Clemson in the first set with 4 kills. The Spartans stayed hot on the Tigers heels tying it up late in the set. After the media timeout, the Tigers pulled away from the Spartans to take the set 25-22. The Tigers had 15 digs to hold the Spartans to a .054 attack percentage to take the first set.
The Tigers went on a 6-1 run to come back from an early deficit, being down 10-14, forcing a Greensboro timeout. Maddie Anspaugh and Anika Groom led the Tigers the remainder of the set with 6 and 5 kills respectively, with Anspaugh and Katherine Sandt both tallying a solo block to go on take the set 25-20.
The third set the Tigers battled back and forth on each point until the Spartans pulled away late in the set. Neither side swung effectively, but Greensboro was able to narrowly take the point to avoid the sweep. Alyssa Irwin tallied 2 kills along with two solo blocks for the Tigers.
In the fourth set, after being down 10-14 the Tigers went on a 5-0 run to force a Greensboro timeout. The Tigers continued that run, putting up a total of 8 unanswered to make it 18-14. Leading the way was Talea Mitchell and Lina Merz who accounted for eight and six blocks respectively, a career high for both. Anika Groom tallied seven kills in the fourth set to reach a career high of 18. Claire Luoma also reached a career high of 26 digs with 12 in the fourth set. The Tigers carried the momentum to take the fourth set 25-23. The Tigers dominated the match with 18 team blocks, the most since 2014 by Clemson.
With the 3-1 win the Tigers are now 3-1 on the season.
Tiger Leaders/Highlights:
- Points: Anika Groom – 19.0
- Kills: Anika Groom – 18
- Digs: Claire Luoma - 26
- Assists: Katherine Sandt – 32
- Blocks: Talea Mitchell – 8.0
Up Next: The Tigers will stay home to continue the Clemson Invitational inside Jervey Gym on Sept. 5 against East Carolina at 5 pm. The Clemson Invitational will see the Tigers host the final match against App State on Sept. 6 at 4 pm. The two remaining Tigers matches will be streamed on ACCNX.