CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Despite winning the first set, the Virginia volleyball team (8-7, 1-4 ACC) dropped a 26-24, 19-25, 27-29, 12-25 decision to Clemson (11-6, 2-3 ACC) at Memorial Gymnasium Friday evening (Oct. 6).
The Cavaliers were led by middle blockers Veresia Yon (10 kills, .474 hitting percentage) and Lily Gervase (7 kills, .462 hitting percentage), who combined for 17 kills and posted efficient hitting performances. Yon also added a match-high four blocks.
Virginia was without its starting middle blocker Abby Tadder, who has led the Cavaliers in kills in eight of their 15 matches this season, and outside hitter Ciera Hecht.
Set 1: Virginia 26, Clemson 24
A 4-0 UVA run toward the back half of the frame gave the Hoos their largest lead of set No. 1, 21-17, but the Tigers came roaring back to tie it, 23-23. Chloe Wilson’s fourth kill of the match delivered set point for the Hoos, but Clemson would answer once more. Virginia closed out the opening set with a kill by Brooklyn Borum followed by Yon’s 79th career block solo to seal the set in UVA’s favor, 26-24. Yon and Borum had three kills each. Borum also chipped in two service aces, which proved critical in the Cavaliers’ two-point win.
Set 2: Clemson 25, Virginia 19
Clemson led for the entirety of the second set and led by as many as seven points [12-5]. After the Tigers mounted a comfortable lead, UVA struggled to spark much anything on offense. Clemson sided out on 14 of the Cavaliers’ 19 total serves and Gervase put down all three balls sent her way in game No. 2.
Set 3: Clemson 29, Virginia 27
After the break, Clemson carried its momentum into the third, leaping out to a 15-8 lead. However, the Cavaliers dug their heels in and chipped away to eventually tie the set, 18-18, amid a 5-0 run. Clemson led 24-23 before both teams combined for five service errors, which prolonged the set. The Tigers won the game following a UVA service error and ball handling error. Yon finished set No. 3 with four kills on five swings and Kate Johnson recorded seven digs as a defensive specialist.
Set 4: Clemson 25, Virginia 12
Clemson scored the first eight points of the set and never looked back. Virginia broke up the Tigers’ early scoring spree with three straight points of their own, but that was as close as the Cavaliers would get the rest of the way. Clemson registered a 75 percent side-out percentage in the fourth and final frame. Virginia had just six kills, half of which were at the hands…