Clemson Announces 2005 Volleyball Schedule

May 4, 2005

Clemson volleyball released its 2005 fall schedule, as announced by head coach Jolene Jordan Hoover on Wednesday. The schedule is highlighted by 22 conference matches and four opponents that were NCAA participants in 2004.

“The biggest challenge with this schedule will be the double round-robin format of conference play,” Hoover said. “It’s going to be a long haul. With a 22-match ACC schedule, that only leaves us with six dates for outside competition. But I feel really good about the schedule and I’m really excited about our team.”

Four teams Clemson is scheduled to play were NCAA Tournament participants a year ago. Alabama A&M, winners of the SWAC in 2004, are one of four teams competing at Auburn, AL in the War Eagle Invitational on September 16-17. Furman and host Auburn are the other schools Clemson will face in that event.

Clemson will play host to the annual Big Orange Bash to open the season on September 2-3. The Tigers will face Connecticut, Western Carolina, and Kentucky in that event. The Tigers will also face SEC rivals Georgia and South Carolina. The Bulldogs were NCAA participants in 2004, and the Gamecocks will play at Clemson on September 13.

In conference play, the Tigers will face each opponent at home and on the road. Included in the conference schedule will be two matches against Georgia Tech, the 2004 ACC regular season champions, and two versus Maryland, the 2004 ACC Tournament champions. Both schools won an NCAA Tournament match in 2004. The Tigers upset the Yellow Jackets during last year’s ACC Tournament in Charlottesville, VA.

Last season, the ACC added Miami and Virginia Tech to the conference. This season, Boston College joins the league as its 12th member. The Eagles were 20-12 a year ago in the Big East Conference. Clemson plays host to Boston College on October 7, then travels to Chestnut Hill, MA for a November 19 match.

The Tigers return eight letterwinners from the 2004 season, including All-ACC freshman Brittany Ross. The outside hitter from Sunrise, FL finished third on the team last season with 472 kills. Other returning starters include right-side hitter Leslie Mansfield, libero Anna Vallinch, and defensive specialist Sue Eckman. Clemson also returns an experienced setter in sophomore Courtney Lawrence, middle hitter Meghan Steiner, senior Meghan Stanton, and defensive specialist/setter Dawn Robertson. Adding to Clemson’s lineup for 2005 will be red-shirt freshman Laura Boozer and three incoming freshmen, Jeanette Abbott, Amber Campbell, and Danielle Hepburn.

2005 Volleyball Schedule