TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida State volleyball team (13-7, 9-1 ACC) picked up another four-set win on Sunday afternoon, winning three straight sets to take down Clemson (11-12, 2-8 ACC).
Clemson’s tough hitting and serving efforts kept the Seminoles off-balance throughout the match, but an even more consistent attack and an oppressive blocking effort helped keep Florida State ahead of the Tigers. Clemson was able to edge out a close 26-24 win in the first set, but the Seminoles fought back to take the next three for the match.
“I’m really happy with the two wins this weekend, but disappointed in the way we finished both matches,” said head coach Chris Poole. “We have to do a better job of focusing through the entire match until the last whistle is blown.”
Despite reducing offensive errors on their side of the net and keeping a consisted defensive presence in the front row, Clemson was able to put down a number of kills at the right times to keep FSU from running away with the match.
“We had some great performances over the weekend, and it is good to see us progress in different parts of our game. The key for us moving forward is being consistent and continuing to put pressure on the opponent with our offense and the block.”
FSU heads to in-state conference rival Miami on Wednesday night (10/24), and returns home to host Virginia Tech on Sunday (10/28).
Set 1 – CU 26, FSU 24
FSU jumped out to a quick start in the opening set, but a tough offensive effort from Clemson proved to be a threat to the Seminoles from early on. The Seminoles seemed to struggle with serve receive and defending against Clemson’s large offensive presence, and the Tigers grabbed the lead from early on, but Florida State was able to take it back at the 20-19 mark.
At FSU’s set point (24-22), the Tigers came back with four straight points on a number of errors by the Seminoles to take the opening set for a 1-0 lead in the match.
Set 2 – FSU 25, CU 11
The Seminoles started off strong in the beginning of the second set, going 8-0 behind a tough offensive effort, two aces from Ambrose and a block from Knuth/Brim. Every one of the Seminoles’ attacks hit the floor through the first 11 points in the set, as FSU hit 1.000 with six kills on six attacks until the 10-2 mark.
Florida State continued to shut down the Tigers throughout the set, and held Clemson to only 11 points in the set. It marked the fewest points CU has scored in a 25-point set this season, and the fewest an opponent has earned against the Seminoles this season in a 25-point set.
Set 3 – FSU 25, CU 17
Three errors on Clemson’s side of the net helped the Seminoles jump out to another quick lead in the set, but the Tigers kept the set tight in the beginning with a tough offensive presence. FSU handled its own side of the net, earning only one unforced error on offense and giving up only one Ace for CU.
By using five total blocks and a more consistent offensive performance, the Seminoles were able to grab the lead at the 8-7 mark and hold it until the end. FSU held the Tigers to just a -.068 hitting percentage in the set.
Set 4 – FSU 25, CU 23
The Seminoles took the first point in the set with a block from Caffrey and Tiana Jackson, the team’s ninth of the match. From there, both teams proved to be tough competition for one another, and the set saw ten tie scores and six lead changes – the most of any set.
FSU held the lead after the 14-13 mark, and reached set point at 24-16 with a block from Brim and Murray. From there, the Tigers earned seven straight points, earning all three of their total blocks in that stretch before a kill from Brianne Burkert finished it off.
Match Notes
- Team
- FSU’s all-time record against CU improves to 36-20.
- Sunday’s win marked the Seminoles’ 12th-straight win over Clemson.
- The Seminoles hit above .300 for the 11th time this season, and outhit their opponent for the 15th time on Sunday.
- Florida State’s six aces against both Clemson and Georgia Tech is tied for the most the team has seen this season (with 6 vs. Florida A&M, 9/8).
- The team’s 14 blocks on Sunday marks the 12th match the Seminoles have seen double-digit blocks this season, and the third in a row.
- FSU held Clemson to 11 points in the third set, which is the fewest the Tigers have scored in a 25-point set this season. It is also the fewest points the Seminoles have held an opponent to in a 25-point set this season.
- Clemson’s previous was 14 in the third set against Duke, FSU’s previous was 12 in the opening set against VCU (9/7).
- Individual
- Ashley Murray led the team in kills on Sunday for the first time this season; she had 11 kills on 20 attacks (.500), which is also a season high for her (last was 10, earned twice, last at Syracuse 10/14).
- Tiana Jackson saw her second highest hitting percentage of the season on Sunday as she hit .857 with 6 kills on 7 attacks. Her best offensive performance of the season was against VCU (9/7), when she hit 1.000 with 6 kills on 6 attacks. She also saw her first solo block of the season against the Tigers.
- Mariah Brim earned her first career solo block, and set new career high records with 6 assisted blocks and 7 total blocks (previous was 5, earned twice, last at Syracuse 10/14/18). She also saw her first career start on Sunday.
