Gamecocks Drop 3-1 Decision to Clemson at Carolina Challenge

Sept. 5, 2014

Final Stats | Photo Gallery

ROCK HILL, S.C. — The South Carolina volleyball team fell in four sets to rival Clemson on Friday afternoon, as the Tigers won by the scores of 14-25, 25-16, 25-17 and 25-16 in the Carolina Challenge at Winthrop Coliseum.

With the loss, the Gamecocks drop to 3-1 on the season. Clemson improves to 5-0.

Junior right side Sarah Blomgren paced the Gamecocks with nine kills, while freshman outside hitter Taylr McNeil added seven kills and 11 digs and sophomore middle blocker Jacqy Angermiller pitched in six kills while hitting .364. Junior setter Kellie McNeil produced a double-double with 24 assists and 17 digs. She also had three kills and three blocks, while junior middle blocker Darian Dozier contributed five kills and five blocks.

Sophomore Lea Perri, senior Kristin Faust and senior Haleigh Hampton led Clemson with 11 kills apiece. Hampton also finished with five blocks. Freshman setter Kate Federico delivered a double-double, recording 38 assists and 14 digs to go along with four kills and two blocks. The Tigers held the final advantage in hitting (.211-.075), digs (62-55) and blocks (10-8).

Match Changer
After losing the first set and trailing 3-2 in the second set, Clemson used an 8-1 run to gain momentum and build a 10-4 lead and did not trail the remainder of the match.

Key Stat
After hitting .407 in the first set, the Gamecocks hit .029, -.028 and -.027 in the final three sets.

Notables
• Angermiller’s six kills and .364 hitting percentage are both season highs.
• The double-double is the sixth of Kellie McNeil’s career.
• Taylr McNeil finished with a career-high 11 digs.

Tweet of the Match

Tough loss but we know @GamecockVBcoach and @GamecockVolley will turn it around tomorrow! Keep battling #Gamecocks

– Gamecock Sand VB (@GamecockSandVB) September 5, 2014

Up Next
The Gamecocks will be back in action on Saturday with two matches in the Carolina Challenge. Carolina will face Furman at 10 a.m. and Winthrop at 7 p.m. at the Winthrop Coliseum.