Tigers Top Tennessee State in Five to Win Clemson Classic

CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson volleyball team took the Clemson Classic title after winning a battle against Tennessee State in five (25-15, 23-25, 25-11, 21-25, 15-5) Saturday night at Jervey Gym. With tonight’s win, along with a win over Wofford (25-21, 26-24, 25-14) earlier in the day, the Tigers improve to 9-1 on the season.

Freshman setter Kate Federico was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, while senior outside hitter Kristin Faust and sophomore outside hitter Leah Perri joined her on the All-Tournament Team.

Clemson 3, Wofford 0 Clemson dropped Wofford in a quick three sets (25-21, 26-24, 25-14) in the first match of the day on Saturday. The Tiger defense was the story of the afternoon, recording 10 blocks as a team, and holding Wofford’s hitting percentage under .200 for the match. Senior Karis Watson led the team with seven blocks, while graduate Haleigh Hampton posted five.

Faust led Clemson’s offense with 12 kills and only one error on 29 attempts for a .379 hitting percentage. Perri tallied nine kills, while Watson posted six, with just one error on 12 attempts for a .417 hitting percentage. Federico tallied 28 assists and added four kills in the contest.

Clemson 3, Tennessee State 2 The Tigers’ defense started out strong, keeping Tennessee State at a .000 hitting percentage in the first set and ultimately, holding Tennessee State under .200 on the match. Clemson put up 13 total blocks as a team, led by Hampton who had seven. Faust led the backcourt defense with 17 digs.

Clemson’s offense hit over .500, led by Beta Dumancic who was hot-handed and hit .562 on the match. Faust led all hitters with 12 kills; combined with her 17 digs, which gave her another career double-double. Perri put up 20 kills on 47 swings and Dumancic and Watson both tallied 10. Federico posted a double-double as well, with 56 assists and 13 digs.

Clemson heads to Tuscaloosa, Ala. next week for the Crimson-White Tournament. The Tigers face San Diego State on Friday, Sept. 19 and FIU and Alabama on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Clemson Classic All-Tournament Team

Most Valuable Player: Kate Federico – Clemson

Kristin Faust – ClemsonLeah Perri – ClemsonIleanushka Maldonado – Tennessee StateNaomi Wells – Tennessee StateDessi Koleva – William & MaryBella Santoro – Wofford 

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