CLEMSON, S.C. – The Wofford volleyball team wrapped up its first tournament of the 2019 season on Saturday, falling to Clemson and Georgia in the Big Orange Bash.
The Terriers fell in straight sets (25-12, 25-16, 25-17) to the Tigers in the first match Saturday morning before falling to Georgia (25-23, 25-15, 25-7) in three sets Saturday afternoon. Sophomore Meghan Yaffa was named to the all-tournament team, totaling 17 kills, four service aces and nine digs in just nine sets.
Against Clemson, Wofford jumped out to an early 4-1 lead courtesy of an ace from Yaffa. The Tigers charged back, however, taking a 9-6 lead and forcing a Terrier timeout. Wofford looked to battle back, but the Clemson claimed set one 25-12. Set two started with the sides trading points and Clemson pulled ahead 10-4. The Terriers responded with four unanswered points before Clemson took charge 16-8. Outside hitter Catie Cronister sent home a kill and Yaffa recorded a second ace to cut the deficit to five, but the Tigers claimed set two 25-16.
Wofford took four of the first six points to open of the thirds, extending the lead to three courtesy of an ace from Yaffa. Clemson would knot the set up at 10 as the two sides traded points. With Clemson aiming to pull away, Riley Coonan sent home a kill to cut the deficit to one. The Tigers put some more distance between the two teams, ultimately taking the set and the match.
In its second match of the day, Wofford and Georgia went point-for-point in the first set. With the score tied at 8-8, Georgia took a three-point lead after a pair of service aces. With the Bulldogs ahead 24-18, the Terriers mounted a rally, reeling off five straight points to make the score 24-23, but Georgia took the next point to claim the first set.
After falling behind early, Cronister sent home a kill to pull the Terriers to within a point. Trailing by three, Georgia doubled its lead, extending it to nine before taking set two 25-15. The two sides traded points to start the third, but the Bulldogs took control with a 12-4 lead and never looked back.
Wofford will look to rebound on Friday, facing the Blue Devils in the Duke Invitational at 12 p.m.
