Photos by Patrick Boling, Clemson Athletic Communications
PITTSBURGH – No. 2 Pittsburgh remained undefeated in ACC play and improved to 14-0 and 25-1 overall, as the Panthers defeated Clemson, 19-25, 25-16, 25-19, 25-22, in Fitzgerald Field House Sunday afternoon. The Tigers recorded a season-high 16.0 blocks, which tied the most team blocks since Sept. 24, 2017 (at Wake Forest). With Sunday’s win over Clemson and Miami’s five-set victory over Notre Dame, Pitt clinched, at the very least, a share of the ACC regular-season title – its third straight.
Box Score
Clemson became the first ACC team to win an opening set over the Panthers and just the second team to do so overall. The Tigers kept the Pitt defense guessing in the first as five Clemson hitters registered multiple kills in the opening game. The Tigers jumped out to an early 10-4 lead. Pitt would cut the Tiger lead to two (21-19), but Clemson fired off three straight points with defensive specialist Madi Howell behind the service line as the Tigers claimed the first, 25-19.
After the winning game No. 1, Clemson found itself trailing late in each of the remaining sets. The Tigers were close to knocking off the Panthers in the third as the two teams were tied, 18-18, but Pitt orchestrated a 7-1 run to close out the third game, which it won 25-19. In the fourth game, the Panthers secured an early 6-1 lead. Clemson would chip away at its deficit throughout the fourth, but it was too late as a Panther kill sealed the set, 25-22, and match.
Kaylin Korte (14-9-45) and Alyssa Deloney (7-0-12) led the Clemson attack. Seven different Tigers registered blocks, including Deloney who led the team with seven.
Freshman setter Mckenna Slavik posted her sixth double-double of the season as she concluded Sunday’s match with 30 assists and tied for a team-high 10 digs.
Up next, Clemson (10-15, 4-10 ACC) returns home for its final homestand in Jervey Gym. The Tigers host Virginia Tech (9-18, 2-12 ACC) on Friday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m., and Virginia (11-16, 3-11 ACC) on Sunday, Nov. 17 at noon for Senior Day. Both matches are set to stream on ACCNX. Admission is free for all home regular-season matches in Jervey Gym. For the Tigers’ complete 2019 schedule, click here.
For complete coverage of the Clemson Volleyball team, follow @ClemsonVB on Twitter and Instagram, and @ClemsonVolleyball on Facebook.
