CLEMSON, S.C. – Opening Atlantic Coast Conference play with a statement, Georgia Tech volleyball (6-6, 1-0 ACC) swarmed out of Jervey Gym with a 3-0 sweep of Clemson (5-8, 0-1 ACC) on Friday night.
Head coach Michelle Collier says:
“I’m very proud how we started our ACC season. We played very aggressive on both sides of the game, offense and defense. There is still a lot of room for growth and we will continue to work hard and get ready for Duke on Sunday.”
How it happened:
Tech came out ready to play taking an early lead in the first. The Tigers clawed back in to tie the match at 7-7 and the two teams traded points until the Jackets took a 13-10 lead fueled by a kill from freshmanGrace Rigsbee and an ace from junior Lauren Frerking, inciting the Tigers to call a timeout. Clemson would come back within one at 13-12 but that is as close as it would get. The Jackets would pocket the set at 25-16. Senior Sydney Wilson hit at a .833 clip for the set, and led all hitters with five kills in the first. The Jackets hit at .500 for the set overall.
The Jackets carried their momentum into the second set, jumping to a 10-4 lead as Clemson called at timeout. Tech never relented, taking lead from senior captain Gabriela Stavnetchei, who tallied seven kills in the second, and quickly took the 2-0 advantage with a 25-15 win of the second.
The Jackets kept rolling in the third, a block from Wilson and Rigsbee gave Tech the 11-4 lead causing the Tigers to take a timeout. The timeout seemed to spark something for Clemson, coming within seven at 14-7 but the set belonged to the Jackets. Fueled by an 11-3 run, Tech completed the sweep with a 25-10 victory in the third, sealing the set with a service ace from freshman Nicole Alford.
Up next:
Tech continues its road swing with a trip to Durham on Sunday, Sept. 24 to take on the Duke Blue Devils at 1 p.m. The match will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra here .
Quick Hits:
– Freshman Grace Rigsbee recorded a career high 10 kills.
– Junior Lauren Frerking matched her career best in kills with three.
– Senior Gabriela Stavnetchei posted her sixth double-double of the season (12 kills, 12 digs)
– Senior Sydney Wilson tied her career-high solo block count with three.
– Senior Gabby Benda was one dig shy of a double-double (18 assists, 9 digs).
– The win was Tech’s first on the road this season.
– Freshman Kendall Wilson made her collegiate debut and tallied her first career kill.
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