Oct. 17, 2006
CLEMSON, S.C. – Meghan Steiner had 13 kills and hit .600 to lead Clemson (13-4, 8-1 ACC) to a 3-0 (30-23, 30-25, 30-27) victory over Georgia Tech (10-9, 2-7 ACC) Tuesday night at Jervey Gym on the campus of Clemson University.
Sophomore outside hitter Talisa Kellogg had a match-high 17 kills while hitting .394 to lead the Yellow Jackets, and junior outside hitter Lindsey Gray added 16 kills and eight digs for Georgia Tech.
Senior libero Abby Showers led Tech’s defensive stance, collecting a game-high 18 digs on the night, while sophomore defensive specialist Michelle Kandell posted 14 digs against the Tigers.
“We’re still learning that competition on the road takes a little extra effort,” said Georgia Tech head coach Bond Shymansky. “Clemson is a strong team and just didn’t make mistakes tonight. We’re encouraged by the play of our outside hitters, but we need to reduce our errors and continue to stay hungry for every point that we can get. We can’t afford to dwell on tonight, as we have just one day to prepare for our next road swing.”
Georgia Tech and Clemson began the match with 11 ties and two lead changes when, with the Yellow Jackets leading 17-16, Clemson went on a 12-3 run, which included four attack errors by the Jackets and three service aces by the Tigers. Despite the tough ending, Tech hit .319 in the first game, led by Kellogg, who had six kills while hitting .625, and Gray, who recorded a game-high seven kills.
After dropping game one 30-23, the Yellow Jackets took an early 11-9 lead before the Tigers went on a 9-0 run to take control of the second game at 18-11. Clemson would extend its lead to eight points at 25-16 before the Jackets went on a 6-1 run to pull within four at 26-22, but it wasn’t enough as the home team finished off the game by earning four of the last six points to win 30-25.
With Tech leading 10-8 in the third game, Clemson used a 4-0 run to take the lead at 12-10. Tech would win three of the next four points to tie the match at 13-13, but the Tigers responded by winning seven of the next nine points to take a 20-15 lead. Tech’s 4-0 run pulled the Jackets to within two points, but the Tigers’ 6-1 run gave the home team a six-point lead at 26-20. With Clemson at match point at 29-23, the Yellow Jackets won four-straight points to pull within 29-27, but a blocking-the-set call on Callie Miller gave the Tigers the 30-27 victory.
The Yellow Jackets will return to action this weekend when they travel to Virginia to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies Friday at 7 p.m. in Blacksburg before meeting Virginia in Charlottesville at 5 p.m. Saturday. Livestats for both games can be found at www.ramblinwreck.com.
