CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson volleyball team (13-12, 4-8 ACC) is set to host Virginia (7-15, 3-9 ACC) Friday at 7 p.m., and No. 10 Pittsburgh (23-1, 11-1 ACC) Sunday at 1 p.m. Both matches in Jervey Gym are slated to stream on ACC Network Extra. Additionally, Friday’s contest against the Cavaliers will serve as the annual IPTAY Day match in conjunction with Alumni Weekend (Nov. 2-3).
The Tigers enter the weekend having won three of their last four matches. Additionally, Clemson has won its last three consecutive matches in Jervey Gym, dating back to the Tigers’ sweep over Virginia Tech on Oct. 7. Last weekend, Clemson took down NC State (3-1) and North Carolina (3-0). Clemson’s victory over the Wolfpack marked its first win over NC State since 2014 and first over the Tar Heels since 2009. Redshirt sophomore Brooke Bailey has led Clemson in kills in the last five outings, including her career high 20-kill performance against NC State last Friday. Bailey currently ranks third in the ACC in kills per set among conference matchups, averaging 3.91 kills per set. Additionally, Clemson setter Gabby Easton earned ACC Freshman of the Week honors for the second consecutive week, the conference office announced Oct. 29. Easton averaged 11.85 assists against NC State and North Carolina last week.
The Tigers will look snap a seven match skid against Virginia. Friday’s matchup against the Cavaliers serves as the first of two contests between the two teams as Clemson heads to Memorial Gymnasium next Saturday, Nov. 10. Virginia split its pair of contests last weekend, rebounding from a loss at Duke Friday to sweep Wake Forest on Sunday. Offensively, the Cavaliers are led by sophomore outside hitter Sarah Billiard, who is averaging 3.60 kills per set this season. Freshman Milla Ciprian leads the charge defensively, averaging 1.38 blocks per set.
No. 10 Pittsburgh makes a pit stop at Georgia Tech Friday before making the trip to Jervey for Sunday’s match. The Panthers are looking to rebound after suffering their first loss of the season at Duke in four sets last Sunday. Despite the loss, the Panthers remain in sole possession of first place atop the ACC standings with a conference record of 11-1. Pitt currently leads the conference in hitting (.300), assists (13.86/set) and kills (14.63/set). The Tigers are 1-6 all-time against Pittsburgh with their only win coming in the inaugural matchup in which Clemson won 2-1 in 1981.
Virginia (39-22)
At home vs. Virginia: 21-7
First meeting: Oct. 30, 1981 (W, 2-1)
Last meeting: Nov. 3, 2017 (L, 3-0)
No. 10 Pittsburgh (1-6)
At home vs. Pittsburgh: 0-3
First meeting: Aug. 30, 1997 (W, 3-1)
Last meeting: Nov. 17, 2017 (L, 1-3)
Friday, Nov. 2
Who: vs. Virginia
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Jervey Gym
Watch: ACC Network Extra
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Follow: @ClemsonVB on Twitter and Instagram, and @ClemsonVolleyball on Facebook
Sunday, Nov. 4
Who: vs. #10 Pittsburgh
When: 1 p.m.
Follow: @ClemsonVB on Twitter and Instagram, and @ClemsonVolleyball on Facebook.
For complete coverage of the Clemson volleyball team, follow @ClemsonVB on Twitter and Instagram, and @ClemsonVolleyball on Facebook.
