CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson volleyball team earned its first ACC win of the season in a sweep (25-18, 25-13, 25-22) over Virginia Tech in Jervey Gym Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Tigers improve to 10-9 overall and 1-5 in ACC play, while the Hokies slip to 12-6 overall and 3-3 in conference matchups. Redshirt-sophomore Brooke Bailey led all Clemson hitters for the second consecutive match, tying the match high with 12 kills, while hitting an efficient .526.
I think all season we've been struggling to find our warrior dial - where our competitive composure is," said Clemson head coach Michaela Franklin. "I thought we did a great job of that the entire match - not getting too high, not getting too low. And then what a great job by our team executing our scouting report.
As a team, Clemson hit .369 for the match, its second best hitting performance of the season. Sophomore Alyssa Deloney, who ranks eighth in the ACC in hitting percentage, continued to shine in the front row for the Tigers. Deloney registered nine kills, a match-high 5.0 blocks, while hitting .500. Freshman setter Gabby Easton dimed 35 assists and sophomore libero Madi Howell recorded 13 digs to tie her season high in a three-set match.
After trailing early in the first, Clemson shifted momentum in its favor after a block by Easton and freshman Ava Pritchard, which gave the Tigers an 8-7 lead. Clemson went on to close out the first on a 5-1 run to take game No. 1, 25-18.
The Tigers came out firing in the second, jumping out to an early 7-1 lead, a margin VT could not withstand. Clemson held the Hokies to a -0.71 hitting percentage in the second, while the Tigers hit .478. Bailey led all hitters in game No. 2 with five kills on six attempts as Clemson took the set, 25-13.
Tech kept it competitive in the third, but three straight Tigers points late in the set gave Clemson a 20-15 lead. A kill by freshman Solei Thomas on a pass from Easton would seal the set and match, securing the Tigers’ sixth sweep of the season.
Up next, Clemson hits the road to face Duke Friday at 6:30 p.m., and Wake Forest Sunday, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. Both contests are set to stream on ACC Network Extra.
For complete coverage of the Clemson volleyball team, follow @ClemsonVB on Twitter and Instagram, and @ClemsonVolleyball on Facebook.
Photos by Daniel Green and Carly Gough
🙌 Stay true to the process, and the process will stay true to you.#ClemsonVB🏐 #ChampionshipBehavior pic.twitter.com/AN8FL5zIdS
— Clemson Volleyball 🏐 (@ClemsonVB) October 7, 2018
.@ClemsonVB is up 2-0 after a KILLer second set 🙌🏽
CLEM 25, VT 13 pic.twitter.com/9qGtv77SJS
— Clemson Athletics (@ClemsonTigers) October 7, 2018
YOURRRR Clemson Tigers take the first set vs. VT 25-18 🏐@ClemsonVB pic.twitter.com/1ts19dJAIp
— Clemson Athletics (@ClemsonTigers) October 7, 2018
Some warm up highlights 🎥@ClemsonVB 🏐 pic.twitter.com/IL4u3Ogt3J
— Clemson Athletics (@ClemsonTigers) October 7, 2018