Clemson’s Danielle Hepburn Named Third-Team AVCA All-American

Dec. 17, 2008

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson senior Danielle Hepburn put the exclamation point on a highly decorated career on Wednesday, as she became just the second player in school history to make an all-American team. Hepburn was named to the American Volleyball Coach Association (AVCA) All-America Third-Team, while Tigers Lia Proctor earned AVCA Honorable Mention All-America.

Hepburn ranks second in the nation this year in blocks per set (1.47) and her .391 season hitting percentage is 15th-best nationally. The native of Miami, FL broke school career records in total blocks, block assists, blocks per set and hitting percentage, while leading the Tigers to their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Hepburn was selected as the Atlantic Coast Conference Player-of-the-Year after leading the league in blocks and kills per set. She became just the third player in school history to be named First-Team All-ACC three times, joining Robin Kibben and Cindy Stern. Stern was also the only other Clemson player to be chosen to an all-America team.

Hepburn led the Tigers to a 23-10 record with 472 kills, her .391 hitting percentage and 182 total blocks. The middle blocker also earned her third AVCA All-East Region accolade earlier this month.

Murphy, a junior setter from New Lenox, IL, was also an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American in 2007 for her second straight award. She guided the Clemson offense to a .265 team hitting percentage, which ranked third in school history for a single season, while posting 1,284 assists for the year. Murphy moved into third place on the Clemson career list for assists and also tallied 307 defensive saves and 128 total blocks in 2008. She was selected to the All-ACC First Team and AVCA All-East Region Team in 2008.

Proctor earned her first All-America Honorable Mention in 2008 following career firsts with a first-team all-conference nod and an all-region selection. The junior from Inman, SC ranked second on the team in kills with 413 on the outside while hitting at a .247 clip for the year. Her 323 digs were also second-most for the Tigers while her 3.47 kills per set average ranked fourth in the ACC.