Women's Volleyball . August 31, 2025

Gamecocks Fall to Clemson in Five-Set Battle

Game #1

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina volleyball team (2-1) closed out opening weekend with a hard-fought 3-2 loss to in-state rival Clemson (3-0) on Sunday at the Carolina Volleyball Center, giving the Tigers a point in the Palmetto Series. Both teams entered the finale undefeated in the Carolina Classic, but it was Clemson who ultimately left with the tournament sweep.

Junior transfer Nia Hall powered the Gamecock offense, matching her career high with 23 kills while hitting .296, and also added 14 digs for a double-double. Freshman Victoria Hill continued her hot start, recording 18 kills — her third straight match in double figures.

1st Set: South Carolina came out strong, opening with a 4-0 run highlighted by two kills, an ace, and a Tiger error. The Gamecocks extended their lead to 10-3 thanks to four Clemson errors and back-to-back kills from Hall. South Carolina never let up, keeping at least a seven-point deficit and stretching the margin to as many as 12 before taking the set 25-14 on a Clemson attack error. Hall and Hill led the charge with five kills apiece, hitting .400 and .500 respectively.

2nd Set: Clemson responded in the second, taking an early 10-6 lead. Three kills from Hall and an ace from Elizabeth McElveen trimmed the deficit to 15-13, but the Tigers rebuilt a four-point lead. South Carolina fought off set point with a three-point run to cut it to 24-22, but Clemson held on to even the match with a 25-22 win.

3rd Set: The Tigers seized control with a 6-0 run early, fueled by four kills and an ace, to jump ahead 9-3. Hall kept Carolina in it with six kills in the frame, but the Gamecocks were limited to a .097 hitting percentage as Clemson pulled away 25-17 to take a 2-1 match lead.

4th Set: The fourth was the tightest of the night, with neither team leading by more than three points. Six different Gamecocks contributed to 15 kills in the set, and Carolina edged out a 25-23 win to force a deciding fifth.

5th Set: Clemson built early momentum behind a 4-0 run for a 7-2 lead. Ava Leahy and Hall combined for six kills to rally Carolina back, and three successful challenge reviews helped the Gamecocks stay alive through multiple long rallies. The comeback fell just short, however, as the Tigers closed out the match 15-11.

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