Box Score

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Eastern Kentucky University fell to Clemson, 3-0, in the opening round of the 2023 National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC) on Thursday in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
 
AG Vandagriff led the Colonels (21-9) with 11 kills.  She also had two blocks.  Chloe Mason had 16 assists and 11 digs.  Carson Ledford recorded four blocks to go along with five kills.
 
Ayah Dailey and Adria Powell had eight kills each for the Tigers (18-13).  Powell also had six blocks.
 
Clemson took an 8-point lead late in the first set, 23-15, on a block by Ava Hewitt and Kennedy Wagner.  However, the Colonels came storming back, scoring seven straight.  An ace from Mason followed by a Tiger attack error made it 23-22.  EKU tied it, 24-24, on a kill from Ledford.  Clemson answered by scoring the final two points to take the opener 26-24.
 
The Colonels attempted a late comeback in the second set as well, but where not as successful.  Mckenna Slavik gave the Tigers an 18-13 edge with a kill.  After a time out, EKU scored four of the next five.  A solo block from Sarah Mitchell made it a 2-point margin, 19-17, but that is as close as the Colonels would get.  Clemson went on to win the second 25-18.
 
The Tigers scored the first seven points of the third set, but EKU didn't fold.  Emilee Hill's ace made it a 3-point set, 9-6.  Moments later a bad set by Clemson got the Colonels within two at 10-8.  From there the Tigers scored five of the next six to move in front by six, 15-9.  A kill from Powell and an EKU attack error pushed the margin to nine, 20-11.  Clemson finished off the set 25-15 on a kill by Sophie Catalano.
 
EKU hit .067 for the match.  The Tigers posted a .318 attack percentage and out-blocked the Colonels 11-6.