North Dakota Takes Clemson Classic Opener, 3-1

CLEMSON, S.C. – North Dakota (3-4) defeated the Tigers (3-4) in four sets (22-25, 25-22, 14-25, 17-25) in the opening match of the Clemson Classic on Thursday night. Leah Perri and Kailey Harvell each registered matches with kills in double figures while Emily Curtis was stellar at libero.

“Every team has one or two of these kinds of matches a season where nothing goes right,” said head coach Hugh Hernesman. “A lot of credit has to go to North Dakota for how well they played. I thought they served really well and we struggled on first and second contact. Most matches come down to serve and serve receive and that’s what our fans saw here tonight. Our job now is to move past this and focus on tomorrow’s matches.”

Harvell tallied 16 kills to lead the Tigers while Perri earned a double-double with 13 kills and 11 digs. Harvell was just a dig shy of a double-double with nine on the night. Megan McGinley led the team blocking once again with six on the night, three of which were on her own.

Freshman, Curtis finished just two digs shy of 30 in her first full match as Clemson’s libero. The match was her second career start and her 28 digs on the night is the most registered by a Tiger this season.

“I thought Emily did a great job defensively, what she did tonight was a lot of fun to watch. When she’s on the floor, you know you’re always going to get a high level of effort and fearlessness.”

Clemson is back in action on Friday, September 9 when it takes on ETSU and Tulane in its final two matches of the Clemson Classic. The Tigers will take on ETSU at 1:30 p.m., in Jervey Gym before their match with Tulane at 7:00 p.m.