Volleyball Falls 3-1 at NC State Thursday

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Clemson volleyball team fell, 3-1 (21-25, 25-19, 12-25, 18-25), to NC State (18-8, 13-2 ACC) Thursday evening in Reynolds Coliseum. The Tigers were led by junior middle blocker Megan McGinley, who posted a season-high 7.0 blocks, three of which were block solos. Freshman libero Maddie Howell also tied her season high of 19 digs.

The two teams were even to open the first at 6-6 before the Tigers pushed out to a 15-10 lead heading into the media timeout. Clemson extended its lead, 19-12 on kill by junior middle blocker Megan McGinley that was assisted by senior setter Keely Hayes. From there, the Wolfpack embarked on an 8-0 run to take a 20-19 lead. The Tigers traded four straight points with the Wolfpack, but another unanswered NC State run sealed the set, 25-21, for the home team.

Despite the late-set collapse, Clemson rebounded early in the second, pushing out to a 6-2 lead that featured kills from McGinley, Kailey Harvell, Jaden Light and Kaylin Korte. The Wolfpack would take the next two points, but Clemson initiated an 8-2 run, which saw senior defensive specialist behind the service line for three straight Tiger points. Clemson would gain a 23-15 lead, but NC State kept things interesting late in the second, cutting the Tiger lead to four with a 4-0 run. A Harvell kill on a ball from Hayes halted the Wolfpack’s momentum as the Tigers went on to take the second, 25-19.

The Wolfpack grabbed a 13-7 lead coming out of the break. NC State maintained pace to claim the third, 25-12, ending the set on a 4-0 run to give them a 2-1 lead. Clemson took an early 7-6 lead in the fourth before NC State went on a 4-0 run to take a three-point lead. The Tigers stayed within striking distance, trailing 19-15, before the NC State strung together another 4-0 run to push the match out of reach for the Tigers. NC State went on to claim the set (25-18) and match, 3-1.

Up next, Clemson heads west to Chapel Hill, N.C., to face North Carolina (13-10, 10-5 ACC) Saturday, Nov. 11 at 5 p.m., in Carmichael. Saturday’s contest will air on ACC Network Extra. Live stats for next week’s matches can be accessed on clemsontigers.com.

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