TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Seminoles.com) — Senior middle blocker Taryn Knuth missed the fall due to injury. Her presence was more than felt in her return to action on Saturday, leading Florida State indoor volleyball to a doubleheader sweep over Clemson at Tully Gym.
Knuth’s career-high 16 blocks in the spring season opener, along with 14 kills on a .700 hitting percentage, guided the Seminoles (3-3, 3-3) to a four-set win in the morning match (19-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-15). She followed with seven more blocks along with nine kills on 10 swings in a three-setter (25-20, 25-14, 25-12) over the Tigers (7-6, 3-5).
Combined, Knuth totaled 23 blocks (5 solo) and recorded 23 kills on 30 swings with no errors (.767 hitting percentage) in FSU’s two wins on Saturday. It was a fitting return for arguably the nation’s top middle blocker who is the NCAA’s active leader with 1.61 blocks per set.
The Johnston, Iowa, native had plenty of help as well. Redshirt sophomore outside hitter Morgan Chacon and senior outside hitter Jasmyn Martin each recorded 20 kills in the two matches, while sophomore middle blocker Emma Clothier combined for 17 kills, a .625 hitting percentage and seven blocks on the day.
The doubleheader sweep for the Seminoles marks 15 straight wins over Clemson dating back to Oct. 16, 2011. Head Coach Chris Poole is now 19-2 vs. the Tigers since becoming FSU’s head coach in 2008.
Led by Knuth’s effort at the net, FSU recorded an astounding 20 team blocks in the first match. Chacon helped pace the Seminole defensive front with six blocks of her own. Clothier put down 10 balls on 16 swings to give FSU multiple offensive threats. The Seminoles hit at a .281 clip while Clemson hit just .151 in the opener.
Chacon picked up her 11th career double-double, and the second of the 2020-21 year, in the first match with 10 kills and 10 digs.
The second match was a clean sweep as FSU came out dominant from the start. Sophomore outside hitter Jessica Nunge was solid with six kills on 12 attacks and a .417 hitting percentage.
Florida State’s next scheduled match is on Friday, Feb. 26, when it hosts Troy at 6 p.m. at Tully Gym.
