Abbott And Hepburn Named Honorable Mention Volleyball All-Americans

Dec. 13, 2006

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson volleyball players Jeannette Abbott and Danielle Hepburn were named Honorable Mention All-Americans by the American Volleyball Coaches Association on Wednesday afternoon. With the honor, the sophomores became just the third and fourth players in Tiger history to earn the accolade and gave Clemson multiple honorees for the first time ever.

Cindy Stern was Clemson’s first All-American after being selected to the second team in 1999. Stern led the Tigers to a 31-3 record that season and holds the program record for career block assists with 448. Leslie Finn joined Stern with an honorable mention selection after the 2004 season. She set single-season records with 684 kills, 1,739 attempts and a 5.61 kills per game average that year.

Abbott and Hepburn added to their lists of awards for the season after being tabbed first-team All-ACC and selected to the AVCA All-Region team. The duo helped the Tigers to post a 20-10 overall record and finish third in the ACC with a 15-7 mark in conference action.

Hepburn led the ACC with a .365 hitting percentage while also boasting a league-best 1.71 blocks per game average. The middle hitter from Miami, FL set a Clemson single season record with 158 block assists on the year and posted 193 total blocks in 2006. In just two years of play, she ranks 10th all-time for career block assists, while her hitting figure for the year ranks second in Tiger history.

Abbott, a native of Downers Grove, IL, recorded a team-high 497 kills in 2006 for a 4.40 kills per game average that led the ACC. Clemson’s starting outside hitter also tallied 272 defensive saves, 51 total blocks and 30 service aces on the year and posted a sophomore record 1,405 attempts. She totaled at least 10 kills in every match this season while setting a career high 29 against then-ranked #25 Duke on Oct. 28.