Volleyball To Hold Dig For A Cure On Friday, Play Host To Virginia Tech On Saturday

Oct. 29, 2008

CLEMSON, SC – The Clemson volleyball team will return to its home venue of Jervey Gym this weekend following four straight road dates. The Tigers (16-6, 8-3 ACC) will play host to Virginia (13-10, 5-6 ACC) at 7:00 pm on Friday night in a match designated as a Dig for a Cure event. Clemson has joined with numerous other volleyball programs across the country in an effort to raise awareness and support for breast cancer research. The Tigers will then face Virginia Tech (17-5, 8-3) on Saturday at 6:00 pm.

Fans can pledge a dollar amount per dig recorded by the Tigers on Friday or donate a flat sum to the cause.

Livestats will be available for both matches this weekend by accessing www.clemsontigers.com.

The Tigers have continued to set school records this season with Danielle Hepburn and Jeannette Abbott posting new standards for career figures. Hepburn became the school’s all-time leader in block assists and total blocks this season, while senior classmate Abbott set the program record for total attempts last weekend. Hepburn currently boasts 511 career block assists with 618 total blocks, and Abbott surpassed Leslie Finn’s mark of 4,932 attempts with 4,941 of her own. The efforts of both have helped the Tigers to lead the conference in team hitting percentage (.267) and blocks per set (2.86). Both marks also rank in the top 20 nationally.

Scouting The Opposition Virginia will bring a 13-10 record into Jervey Gym on Friday night with a 5-6 ledger against conference foes. The Hokies won matches over Boston College, Maryland, North Carolina, Wake Forest and Miami during the first half of the ACC schedule but most recently fell in three at Florida State. The Cavaliers are holding opponents to just a .175 hitting percentage while averaging 2.44 blocks per set. Lauren Dickson leads the team with 259 kills, and Brittani Rendina leads the defensive effort with 356 digs.

Virginia Tech enters the weekend tied for first place in the league with Duke and Clemson. The Hokies own a 17-5 overall record with an 8-3 mark in ACC action. Virginia Tech is averaging 12.77 kills per set for a .226 team hitting percentage, led by Felicia Willoughby’s 224 kills and .391 hitting figure. Willoughby also owns a team-best 86 total blocks with Jill Gergen leading the team with 295 defensive saves.

Clemson Against The Cavaliers, Hokies The Tigers erased from a 2-0 deficit against Virginia earlier this season to win a five-set thriller in Charlottesville. With the win, Clemson improved to 33-14 all-time against the Cavaliers. Virginia Tech bested the Tigers in the first meeting this season, winning in four sets on its home court in Blacksburg, VA. The two teams have faced off just 15 times in history with Clemson holding the slight, 8-6 advantage.