Hannah Sets Clemson Single-Match Kill Record in Five-Set Loss to Orange

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – After posting 27 kills and 21 digs in yesterday’s 3-2 win over North Carolina, Clemson freshman outside hitter Camryn Hannah set the program’s all-time record in kills after finishing with 37 in a five set (20-25, 21-25, 25-20, 25-17, 14-16) loss at Syracuse on Sunday afternoon. 

Hannah shattered the previous Clemson’s single match record of 32 kills, which was set by three former players, including Brittany Ross (twice), Julie Rodriguez and Robin Kibben. In addition, Hannah set an NCAA 2020-21 season-high for kills in a match this season. The previous high of 34 was set by Lauren Ohlinger of Boise State and Madison Brown of Arkansas State. Ohlinger and Brown took 75 and 80 swings, respectively, while Hannah needed just 71 swings to put down 37 kills. 

Clemson libero Caitlyn Meeks recorded a new career high in digs (21) and assists (nine). Setter Mckenna Slavik tied her career high with 17 digs and recorded a career-high nine kills to just narrowly miss a triple-double. Also, claiming a career high was Crystal Childs, who totaled 14 digs. 

Just like in Saturday’s match against the Tar Heels, Clemson found itself trailing 2-0 heading into the break, despite seven kills in each of the first two sets from Hannah. Coming out of the break, Clemson seized momentum early, jumping out to a 9-2 lead. The Orange shifted momentum in their favor later in the set after claiming six of the final eight points of the set, but the Tigers’ early lead was too much to overcome as Clemson took the set, 25-20.

Hannah went off in set No. 4 with 12 kills. Hannah and the Tigers utilized three four-point unanswered runs through the set and led by as many as 11 points (22-11) late in the game. Hannah put the exclamation point on the fourth, finishing the set with back-to-back kills to force a fifth. As a team, the Tigers hit .500 in game No. 4.

The fifth set was a battle from start to finish between the Tigers and the Orange as they traded points back and forth. Syracuse improved their defensive game as the Orange blocked four balls and limited their hitting errors to three. A Clemson attack error and Syracuse kill sealed the set, 16-14, and the match for Syracuse.

Up next, Clemson (10-7, 4-6 ACC) returns to action next weekend, continuing ACC pod play in Jervey Gym. The Tigers are scheduled to take on No. 13 Louisville (7-2, 7-2 ACC) on Friday, March 12 at 5 p.m., before taking on Duke (8-5, 6-4 ACC) on Sunday, March 14 at 3 p.m.

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