Photos courtesy of Will Edmonds, Syracuse Athletics
Box Score
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Clemson Volleyball team played in its final contest of 2019 as it fell, 22-25, 23-25, 13-25, to Syracuse (12-13, 9-9 ACC) at the Orange’s Women’s Building Friday afternoon. Reigning ACC Freshman of the Year Polina Shemanova led the Orange with a match-high 22 kills on 44 swings and hit .341. Clemson senior Emily Curtis, who registered nine digs and one service ace, rounded out her four-year tenure with 1,005 digs, 71 service aces in 114 matches for her career.
Shemanova and Syracuse’s Ella Saada, who finished Friday’s match with 12 kills, tallied five kills each on the opening set. The Orange took advantage of a 9-0 run in the middle of the first to grasp a 14-7 lead. The Tigers would cut it to as little as two on multiple occasions late in the set, including 24-22, but a Shemanova kill secured the Orange’s 25th point and gave Syracuse a 1-0 lead.
In the second, it was Clemson that jumped out to an 18-13 lead. Clemson outside hitter Kaylin Korte posted four of her team-high eight kills in game No. 2. However, Shemanova rang up eight kills, including five after Clemson held its 18-13 lead, to steer the Orange’s second-set comeback effort. Shemanova also registered the final two Syracuse points in the second set as the Orange headed into the intermission with a 2-0 lead.
The Tigers could not find their rhythm coming out of the break. Syracuse led by as many as 11 points (20-9) in the third. Shemanova had her best single-set performance in game No. 3, registering nine kills in the third and final set.
Clemson middle hitter Alyssa Deloney registered her 500th career kill and finished Friday’s contest having amassed 501 career kills. Clemson setter Mckenna Slavik secured her 1,000th assist of her freshman campaign and concluded her season with a total of 1,009 assists.
With Friday’s result, Clemson ended its season with an overall record of 11-18 and 5-13 in ACC play.
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