KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Clemson Tigers won the opening set on Saturday, but ultimately dropped a four-set matchup (25-14, 17-25, 21-25, 15-25) against Loyola Marymount (1-1). With the loss, Clemson moves to 1-1 on the year. The Tigers were highlighted by senior libero Devan Taylor surpassing 1,300 career digs and tying for fifth all-time following a 16-dig performance.
Taylor reached 1,300 career digs midway through the second set to move into sole possession of sixth most digs all-time at Clemson. She surpassed Denise Murphy (1983-1986, 1,299) in doing so and then went on to tie Jodi Steffes for fifth place after finishing the afternoon with 1,309 career digs.
Junior pin hitter Mia McGrath led the Tigers offensively by putting up double-digit kills for the first time this season and the seventh time in her career. She also led the Tigers with 12.5 points with the addition of both a solo block and a block assist. Senior Azyah Dailey and freshman Neea-Maria Joki added seven kills apiece to tie for second on the day, while redshirt sophomore Katherine Sandt tallied the first double-double of the year with a team-high 23 assists and 12 digs. Joki and fellow freshman Claire Luoma added an ace each, to mark the second-consecutive match the freshmen have picked up at least one ace. Defensively, Dailey finished with two solo blocks and a block assist, while Indigo Young, Kate Hansen and McGrath added additional solo blocks throughout the match.
The Tigers began the match hitting .393 with 13 kills spread over five different players. Clemson added an additional 15 digs, four blocks and one ace en route to winning the opening set. Clemson finished the four set match with 58 total digs after adding 16 digs in the second, 10 in the third and 17 in the fourth.
LMU would win sets two, three and four by hitting above .242 in each set after sitting at -.028 in the first set. The Lions finished with 50 kills that had two players tallying 17 and 13, respectively, and added 13 blocks.
Up Next
The Tigers wrap up opening weekend on Sunday, September 1 at 2 p.m. when they take on host Western Michigan on ESPN+.
