CLEMSON, S.C. – South Carolina volleyball hits the road for the first time since Sept. 1, heading to the upstate on Friday, Sept. 20 for a 6 p.m. match against Clemson (6-2) as part of the Palmetto Series presented by the South Carolina Education Lottery. It will be the final non-conference test for the Gamecocks (8-2), who finished a recent stretch of seven games in 11 days with a 6-1 record. Coverage for Friday’s matchup can be found on the ACCNx online streaming service.
The Gamecocks are 4-4 at Clemson since the start of the 2000s, compared to 8-0 at home in that same stretch. The last two trips to Jervey Gym have ended in five-set matches, with each team winning once.
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SCOUTING THE TIGERS
The Clemson Tigers are entering Friday’s rivalry matchup 6-2, coming off a 3-0 weekend at Appalachian State in the Black and Gold Invitational. The Tigers are led on offense by junior Mia McGrath (103 kills) and freshman Neea-Maria Joki (86), with veteran Azyah Dailey just behind with 80 kills. Joki also leads the team in aces with 15, she is one of three Tigers with double-digit aces through eight games, as well as hitting percentage (.268). Defensively, senior libero Devan Taylor leads the team and conference in total digs so far this season (66), helping boost Clemson to the top of the ACC in digs as a team.
TRENDING TOPICS
During the recent home stand (seven games)…
- Oby Anadi has been red-hot in the middle, with 58 kills and a .485 hitting percentage. The senior has 10+ kills in three of the last four games and has hit .700 or higher in four of the last six games.
- Riley Whitesides leads the offense with 104 kills in the seven games (4.33/set) while hitting .271. She has accounted for almost a third of the team’s total attacks in this stretch, with 247 attacks – 72 more than any other Gamecock.
- The team’s serving game has improved, with a 43-20 advantage in service aces during the home stand. Four different Gamecocks have six or more aces, led by 12 from Riley Whitesides and nine from Alayna Johnson. The team has been efficient behind the line as well, with 15 fewer service errors than its opponents.
- Opponents have had success at the net defensively, out-blocking the Gamecocks 64-60 overall in the seven-game stretch with notable disparities against Stetson (13-7) and Wake Forest (18-9).
- The back line of the defense has impressed, with four…