Photos by Patrick Boling, Clemson Athletic Communications
MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Clemson Volleyball team fell to 3-2 overall on the season after losing, 23-25, 27-29, 15-25 to Omaha (5-1, 0-0 Summit), Friday morning at the K-State Invitational in Bramlage Coliseum. Defensively, Clemson was led by junior libero Madi Howell, who tied Omaha’s Claire Mountjoy with a match high of 14 digs.
Box Score
In the first, Clemson jumped out to a 19-15 lead, which was followed by an Omaha timeout. Coming out of the break, the Mavericks swung momentum in their favor and eventually tied the set, 23-23. Omaha would close out the first on a 7-1 run, including five unanswered points to end the set, which the Mavericks won, 25-23.
After grappling to find offensive chemistry, Clemson Head Coach Michaela Franklin inserted middle blocker Ava Pritchard, outside hitter Ashtynne Alberts and setter Gabby Easton into the Clemson rotation in the middle of the second. The Tigers founds themselves down 24-17, but Clemson seized upon a 7-0 run to tie the set, 24-24, and force extra plays. The Clemson attacks was led by outside hitter Jori Radtke, who was behind the service line for the Tigers, and Clemson’s front row consisting of Alberts, Pritchard and Alyssa Deloney, who collectively forced five Maverick attack errors during the Tigers’ offensive spree. With the score tied, 27-27, Omaha won back-to-back points on a Clemson service error, which was followed by an attack error to end the set, giving the Mavericks a 2-0 lead heading into the break.
Coming out of the locker room to begin the third, Clemson was neck-and-neck with the Mavericks, but the Tigers could not get find a rhythm. With the score, 15-14, in favor of Omaha, the Mavericks sealed the set and match after registering a 10-1 run to close out the set, 25-15.
Omaha was led offensively by Isabella Sade, who tallied a match-high 20 kills.
Up next, Clemson (3-2, 0-0 ACC) concludes its stay in Manhattan, Kansas as it faces Central Arkansas (4-1, 0-0 Southland) in Bramlage Coliseum at 6 p.m. ET. To access live stats for Friday’s match, click here.
For complete coverage of the Clemson Volleyball team, follow @ClemsonVB on Twitter and Instagram, and @ClemsonVolleyball on Facebook.
