Volleyball Falls at Ga. Tech Wednesday

ATLANTA, Ga. – The Clemson volleyball team fell in three sets (17-25, 19-25, 18-25) to Georgia Tech (13-15, 8-9 ACC) Wednesday evening in O’Keefe Gymnasium. With the loss, the Tigers fall to 7-22 on the season and 2-15 in ACC play. Clemson was led by sophomore outside hitter Kaylin Korte, who had one of her all-around matches of the season, posting 11 kills, six digs and a match-high four blocks. Freshman libero Madi Howell added a match-high 14 digs for the Tigers defensively.

Georgia Tech came out swinging in the opening set of the Yellow Jackets’ senior night in O’Keefe Gymnasium, grabbing on to an early 11-4 lead. Clemson cut the deficit to 14-11 after tallying a 5-0 run midway through the first with Ally Gamble behind the service line. With the score at 17-12 in favor of the Yellow Jackets, a Korte kill on a ball from senior setter Keely Hayes put Madi Howell behind the service line for the Tigers. Back-to-back blocks by the Tigers’ front row prompted a Yellow Jacket timeout as Clemson cut the Yellow Jacket lead to 17-4. Coming out of the timeout, Georgia Tech went on an 8-3 run to close out the set, 25-17. Three of Korte’s four blocks for the match came in the first set, but the Tigers were plagued by four service errors.

The Tigers got off to a better start to open the second. A Georgia Tech attacking error tied the set, 11-11, with Howell behind the service line. The Yellow Jackets then took back-to-back points before the Tigers responded on a 2-0 run of their own with a kill from junior middle blocker Megan McGinley and a block solo by Korte. From there, Clemson gradually fell behind as Georgia Tech gained a 20-15 lead before Clemson called timeout. Coming out of the timeout, junior setter Caroline Pearson entered the match and dimed four quick assists late in the set, but Yellow Jackets went on to grab a 2-0 heading into the break. Georgia Tech claimed the set, 25-19, with the help of GT senior outside hitter Gabriela Stavenetchei, who notched eight kills in the second.

Clemson jumped out to a 3-1 lead coming out of the break with kills from sophomore middle blocker Jaden Light, Korte and redshirt-sophomore outside hitter Annie Carter. The third saw four more ties before the Tigers took another two-point lead, 10-8, initiating a Georgia Tech timeout. Coming out of the timeout, Georgia Tech responded with an 8-3 run with the help of four Tiger errors. Georgia Tech would end the set and match on a 7-2 run that was fueled by GT senior middle blocker Sydney Wilson, who grabbed kills on four the last five plays of the match.

Up next, Clemson returns to Jervey Gym for the first time since Oct. 29 after five straight road contests to face Pittsburgh (21-6, 14-2 ACC) Friday at 7 p.m. Friday’s match against the Pathers will air on ACC Network Extra. Live stats for Friday’s contest can be accessed on clemsontigers.com.

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