Virginia Falls 3-1 at Clemson

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.  – Virginia (7-16, 3-10 ACC) dropped a 25-22, 25-22, 18-25, 25-14 decision to Clemson (14-12, 5-8 ACC) on Friday (Nov. 2) at Jervey Gym.
 
Sarah Billiard (Matthews, N.C.) led the Cavaliers with 11 kills, while Milla Ciprian (St. John’s, Fla.) hit .357 with six kills and five blocks. It was not enough, however, as Clemson racked up 13 blocks and benefited from 30 Virginia errors in the victory.
 
Bailey Brooke led Clemson and the match with 14 kills. Ava Pritchard had eight blocks for the Tigers as well.
 
SET 1: Clemson 25, Virginia 22
In a back-and-forth first set, Clemson used a 5-1 run to close the frame and take the early lead. Ashtynne Alberts led the Tigers with four kills in the set, including the set-sealing termination.
 
A trio of Virginia service errors also proved costly in the first-set loss. Billiard led Virginia with three kills in the frame.
 
SET 2: Clemson 25, Virginia 22
A 4-0 run helped Virginia build a 15-12 lead at the media timeout, but another late rally by Clemson gave the Tigers a 2-0 lead. The Tigers closed the set with an 11-5 run, sparked by three kills from Crystal Childs.
 
Clemson held a 14-7 advantage in kills in the set and limited the Cavaliers to -.037 hitting.
 
SET 3: Virginia 25, Clemson 18
After trading points to a 12-12 tie, Virginia rolled off a 9-2 run to open a 21-14 lead. Freshman Grace Turner (Cincinnati, Ohio) had a pair of kills and a service ace in the Cavalier run.
 
Billiard also came to life in the set, knocking down five kills in the 25-18 victory. Virginia also racked up four blocks in the set, led by a trio of rejections from Ciprian.
 
SET 4: Clemson 25, Virginia 14
Virginia jumped to a 4-1 lead in the set, but Clemson came roaring back with a 12-4 run to build a 21-12 advantage. The big swing included six Virginia errors, two of which were Clemson blocks.
 
QUICK HITS
• The loss snaps a seven-match winning streak in the series for the Cavaliers.
• Kat Young (Chantilly, Va.) matched Ciprian in the middle with six kills and five blocks.
• Kelsey Miller (Crestwood, Ky.) piled up a match-leading 12 digs.
 
UP NEXT
Virginia finishes off a four-match road swing with a noon start on Sunday (Nov. 4) at Georgia Tech.