Tigers Defeat Winthrop, Fall to Furman Saturday

ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Tigers dropped their first match this season against Furman in five sets (25-23, 25-18, 17-25, 22-25, 9-15) at the Battle of South Carolina in Rock Hill on Saturday afternoon. The team is now 6-1 following the loss to the Paladins, and after defeating tournament host Winthrop in four (21-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-22) earlier in the day.

Clemson 3, Winthrop 1 Recap:

The Tigers lost the first set before the defense found a way to shut the Eagles’ offense down. Clemson put up 11 blocks as a team and their backcourt was led by senior Niki Collier who had the most digs on the floor with 26.

Freshman setter Kate Federico spread the offense well, finishing the match with 49 assists, and with three of her hitters in double digit kills. Faust led the way with 17 and matched her offensive efforts with 17 digs, posting her third double-double this season.

Clemson 2, Furman 3 Recap:

The Tigers took over the first two sets of the matchup but struggled offensively in the third, hitting -.073. Offense found a rhythm in the fourth, but the Tigers struggled on defense, putting up no blocks as a team and allowing the Paladins to hit .500. Furman took advantage of the momentum and finished off the match holding Clemson to a -.115 hitting percentage in the fifth set.

The Tigers return home next weekend when they host William & Mary, Wofford and Tennessee State in the Clemson Classic at Jervey Gym. The first match is between Tennessee State and Wofford on Friday, Sept. 12 at 4:30 p.m. The Tigers take on William & Mary at 7 p.m.