CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson volleyball team (1-0) opened the 2022 season in dominant fashion behind a powerful 26-kill performance from junior Camryn Hannah. The Tigers fought to take the match 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-17, 25-23) against Austin Peay (1-1) in Jervey Gym on Friday evening.
The first two sets were a back-and-forth battle between the Tigers and Governors after Hannah and freshman Brooklyn Conner staked claim to the net picking up multiple kills and blocks, respectively. In her Tiger debut, Conner led the team with six blocks (one solo, five assisted). The Tigers were able to clinch the first set but dropped the second, as both resulted in 25-23 set scores.
Clemson took control of the third set pushing the score to 15-7 by the first media timeout after freshman Mia McGrath recorded four kills over a seven-point span. The Governors closed the gap to four points, 15-11, before the Tigers went on a hot streak to take the set, 25-17.
The Tigers took the first point for set four with a kill from Ani Clark, her 10th of the match. Hannah stayed hot in the fourth set with seven kills to clinch her 26-kill evening. Clemson pushed the tempo despite Austin Peay closing the gap down to 24-22. Clark capped her final career opening night for the Tigers with a kill to secure the match victory.
Match Notes:
- Sophomore Devan Taylor finished with 27 digs, a career-best surpassing her previous mark of 24 digs set against Georgia Tech in 2021.
- Mckenna Slavik finished the night with 52 assists, tying her career single-game high.
- Three Tigers finished with double digit kills: Hannah (26), McGrath (12) and Clark (12).
- McGrath (.360) and Clark (.474) finished hitting over .350 to lead the Tigers to hitting .213 as a team.
Up Next
The Tigers continue action at the Big Orange Bash tomorrow afternoon against Louisiana Tech (1-1) at 12:30 p.m., before concluding the tournament with a nightcap against Presbyterian (0-1) at 7 p.m.
Photos courtesy of Ella Drake, Clemson Athletics