The Clemson women’s volleyball team swept its three opponents — Appalachian State, Wofford and Winthrop — at the Black & Gold Invitational in Boone, North Carolina, this weekend. With the sweep, the Tigers improved to 6-2 on the year.
The Tigers faced off against the Appalachian State Mountaineers to open the weekend on Thursday night. Pin attackers Mia McGrath, Neea-Maria Joki and Aźyah Dailey led the Tigers with double-digit kills to sweep the Mountaineers in three sets (25-23, 27-25, 25-15).
McGrath tallied 16 points: 13 kills, two aces and one solo block. Joki followed closely behind with 15 of her own (10 kills, three aces and four block assists), and Dailey rounded out the trio’s performance with 14 (12 kills and two solo blocks).
The following day, Clemson defeated the Wofford Terriers in five sets (23-25, 25-18, 22-25, 25-16, 15-8) in a back-and-forth affair. The Terriers proved to be the most formidable opponent for Clemson, forcing the Tigers to drop the first and third sets. However, led by libero Devan Taylor, McGrath and setter Audrey Armbruster — all of whom set career-highs in the contest — the Tigers sealed their victory in the fifth set to remain undefeated on the weekend.
Taylor recorded 34 digs, surpassing her previous career high by five, while McGrath led the Tigers with 23 kills (six more than her previous career high) and Armbruster recorded 49 sets to surpass her previous career-high (38) by 11. The Tigers put on a show, also tallying 10 aces — the most in a single match by the program since Nov. 4, 2022, against Florida State (14).
On Saturday, Clemson defeated the Winthrop Eagles in four sets (25-19, 21-25, 25-20, 25-14) to complete its weekend sweep. Joki recorded 19.5 points (15 kills, five block assists and two aces) to lead Clemson to victory.
The Tigers will christen the newly-renovated Jervey Gym with their home opener this Thursday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m. against Kennesaw State.