Wake Forest Athletics
Deacons Hang Tough, But Drop 2-3 Squeaker To Clemson
10/7/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 7, 2000
Winston-Salem, NC - The Wake Forest volleyball team fell for the fifth time in as many matches, as the Deacons lost a 2-3 (15-8, 14-16, 13-15, 15-7, 14-16) squeaker to Clemson Saturday evening at Reynolds Gym.
The Deacons opened up the match with their first game win since a 2-3 loss to Davidson September 30. After defeating the Tigers 15-8 in that first game, the Deacons fell behind by as many as three points in the second game, but the game was still a battle. The lead switched between the two teams four times in the second game. Wake Forest went on top of Clemson 14-13, but could not take advantage of the game point. The Tigers came back to win the next three points for the 16-14 game-two win.
The third game was also evenly matched. The Deacons jumped out to a 5-1 lead, but gave up four unanswered points as the Tigers evened up the score at 5-5. Wake again took a crucial lead late in the game at 13-11, but allowed Clemson to score four consecutive points for the 15-13 win.
Wake took control of game four, bolting to a 14-4 advantage. The Tigers scored three points before the Deacs knotted the match at two games apiece. The fifth game was as hotly contested as games two and three, with neither team leading by more than three. Clemson used a service ace by Kiki Dallao to move ahead 15-14, and a kill by Jodi Steffes sealed the eighth win of the season for the Tigers.
The Deacons were led by junior middle blocker Margaret Davidson, who registered 26 kills. Junior outside hitter Trina Maso de Moya added 24 kills and a season-high 31 digs. Four other Deacons registered double figures in digs. Senior defensive specialist Heather Wilkie recorded 19, Ashlee Phillips contributed 17, and Corie Miles and Sara Beth DeLisle chipped in 13 and 11 digs, respectively. Phillips, a sophomore setter, registered a career-high 79 assists.
Steffes totaled a match-high 29 kills along with 19 digs for the Tigers, while Dallao added 28 kills and 22 digs. Meredith Kirtland recorded 12 kills and a team-high 26 digs. Tami BySura added 17 digs. Setter Jessi Betcher, who left the match in the fourth game with an injury, led Clemson with 60 assists.
Clemson improves to 8-10 overall and 3-3 in conference play. The Deacons drop to 10-6 and 2-4 in league play. Wake steps out of the ACC for a home match against Elon October 10 at 7:00 pm in Reynolds Gym.
