The Clemson Tigers suffered a hard-fought loss against their rival, the South Carolina Gamecocks, on Friday, falling in straight sets at a packed Jervey Gym. In a match marked by close rallies and high tension, Clemson struggled to overcome the Gamecocks’ aggressive offense, dropping them to 0-3.

The first set, which ended 34-32 in favor of South Carolina, set the tone for a tight contest. The Tigers battled back and forth but failed to capitalize on key opportunities. South Carolina outside hitter Riley Whitesides led the way for the Gamecocks, racking up 18 kills and maintaining a .341 hitting percentage.​

For Clemson, freshman Neea-Maria Joki played a critical role, recording 12 kills and showcasing her emerging talent on the court. Even with Joki’s efforts, Clemson was unable to stop the Gamecocks’ offense in crucial moments.​

Sophomore Kennedy Wagner and junior Mia McGrath also put up a good fight for the Tigers, each recording double-digit kills.

The second set saw Clemson fight valiantly but falter in the latter half as South Carolina pulled ahead with a 25-16 win. The Gamecocks’ consistency on defense and control at the net frustrated Clemson’s hitters, leaving the Tigers scrambling to make adjustments.​

By the third set, the Tigers looked for a comeback, but despite a series of back-and-forth rallies, South Carolina secured the sweep with strong blocking and another late run of points. Clemson head coach Jackie Simpson Kirr noted the team’s resilience but admitted they need to “clean up the details” to close out games.​

This rivalry loss stings for the Tigers, taking place on home soil and in front of a strong crowd at the newly renovated Jervey Gym. The Tigers fell to 7-3 on the season that night, a loss that marks a setback as Clemson gears up for ACC play.

Next up, Clemson (8-3) will face an undefeated No. 1 Pitt (9-0) in another crucial ACC matchup on Sept. 27.