The NC State volleyball team was able to squeeze out a win in a tightly contested match against Clemson, 3-0.
The Wolfpack (17-11, 10-6 ACC) was able to complete the season sweep against the Tigers (6-22, 1-15 ACC) Sunday at Reynolds Coliseum. Junior outside hitter Julia Brown led the way with a double-double, tallying 10 kills and 12 digs.
“[Julia] continues to be a solid rock for us,” head coach Linda Hampton-Keith said. “She’s a great foundation that everyone seems to rely on, and she does a great job, and today was another example.”
The first set was filled with high intensity from both teams; there were 15 ties and five lead changes. Junior middle blocker Kaitlyn Kearney tallied seven kills in 12 attempts as the Pack took the first set, 27-25.
NC State tallied 20 kills with six errors and Clemson tallied 14 kills with four errors in the first set. Both teams were able to achieve a high sideout percentage with each team having a percentage of 65 or better.
The second set was nothing different from the first. The Pack was able to escape with the win, 25-21. The Pack tallied four aces whereas the Tigers tallied only one.
Sophomore setter Becky Porter stepped up and played a major role since senior setter Maggie Speaks was not able to play. Porter recorded 33 assists with 10 digs in the first two sets.
“I felt pretty good today,” Porter said. “Maggie is so supportive and she helps me out a lot; my team was there and had my back.”
Hampton-Keith went on to say that Porter stepped up and played a major role in the win. She added that this was not the first time Porter was put into that role, so she was very confident and worriless about Becky fitting in in the match.
Clemson opened up the third set with great intensity, opening up with a 13-6 lead. The Tigers tallied six kills with only one error in the run.
The Wolfpack did not let up, going on a 11-4 run to tie up the score at 17 apiece. After the Wolfpack gained the lead at point 17, it never looked back. The Pack was able to win the set 25-22, to complete the sweep in the three sets.
“Getting ourselves down in the third set,” Hampton-Keith said. “But then showing the poise and maturity to fight back.”
The Pack ended the game with 53 kills and 14 errors while Clemson ended with 40 kills and 11 errors. Despite having more errors, the Pack was able to fight through the adversity and pull out a key conference win and the season sweep of Clemson.
Kearney led the team in points with 13.5, tallying 12 kills with two errors and three block assists.
The Pack looks to continue this momentum into the game against its rival UNC Wednesday at Chapel Hill.
