View this post on Instagram Keep swinging 👊 . . #ClemsonVB 🏐A post shared by Clemson Volleyball (@clemsonvb) on Oct 14, 2018 at 1:26pm PDT
Keep swinging 👊 . . #ClemsonVB 🏐
A post shared by Clemson Volleyball (@clemsonvb) on Oct 14, 2018 at 1:26pm PDT
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Clemson redshirt-sophomore Brooke Bailey posted a career-high 18 kills on 47 attacks in the Tigers’ 3-2 loss (25-20, 25-15, 24-26, 21-25, 13-15) Sunday at Wake Forest in Reynolds Gym. Clemson took the first two sets and nearly came back in a dramatic fifth game, but a 6-0 run by the Demon Deacons in the middle of the set was too much to overcome. With the loss, the Tigers fall to 10-11 overall and 1-7 in ACC play, while Wake Forest improves to 8-12 overall and 3-5 in conference matchups.
“I thought we did a great job in the first two sets coming out and competing as well as bringing our intensity and our energy to our side of the net,” said Clemson head coach Michaela Franklin. “I thought that Wake did a good job towards the end of the match making some adjustments. We just didn’t respond as quickly as we needed to. We definitely had opportunities today and I think it’s just a great lesson for our young group. The only way we’re going to learn is by being in these moments.”
Clemson took set No. 1, 25-20, after cashing in seven of the last eight points, including the last five. The Tigers carried their momentum into the second, breaking out to a 15-8 lead, before taking the second game, 25-15. Bailey, freshman Ashtynne Alberts and sophomore Alyssa Deloney all registered four kills in the second. Coming out of the break, both teams were neck and neck for the entirety of the third, but the Demon Deacons claimed back-to-back kills to take the set, 26-24. Just like set No. 3, the fourth was fairly close, but Wake closed out three of the last four points to claim the set, 25-21, and tie the match, 2-2. Six unanswered Demon Deacon points proved to be the difference in the fifth set. Clemson’s admirable comeback attempt – a 5-1 run late in the fifth – came to a close on a kill by Wake Forest’s Katie Moore as the Demon Deacons took the set, 15-13, and match, 3-2.
Alberts recorded her team-leading seventh double-double of the season, finishing Sunday’s contest with 13 kills and 15 digs. Her mark of 15 digs is also her career best. Deloney totaled 12 kills on 20 attacks, while hitting .500 along with a team-best five blocks. Additionally, freshman right side hitter Solei Thomas posted 11 kills on 23 attacks to hit .304. Sunday’s match marks the third occasion this season in which Alberts, Bailey, Deloney and Thomas all registered double-digit kills.
Up next, Clemson heads to the Sunshine State to take on Miami Friday (Oct. 19) and Florida State Sunday (Oct. 21). Friday’s match is scheduled for 7 p.m., while Sunday’s contest is slated for 1 p.m. Both matches are set to stream on ACC Network Extra.
“We’re getting ready to head on the road again, so we have to take advantage of our day off to rest and recover.”
For complete coverage of the Clemson volleyball team, follow @ClemsonVB on Twitter and Instagram, and @ClemsonVolleyball on Facebook.
