Clemson Downs NC State, 3-0, In Saturday Volleyball Action

Oct. 27, 2007

CLEMSON, SC – The Clemson volleyball team needed just 75 minutes to down NC State, 3-0 (30-11, 30-24, 30-18), on Saturday evening at Jervey Gym. The win was the Tigers’ 20th of the season, against just two losses and kept them perfect in the league matches at 13-0.

Danielle Hepburn posted a career high with an impressive .722 hitting percentage for the night, while leading Clemson with 14 kills. Jeannette Abbott added 10 for the Tigers, and Sue Eckman recorded five aces in the contest, a season-high for Clemson.

Clemson has now hit the 20-win mark for the second straight season, as the Tigers were 20-10 a year ago. It is the ninth season that Clemson has won at least 20 matches under Head Coach Jolene Jordan Hoover and the 19th time in program history.

With the victory, the 2007 Tigers also tied the longest winning streak in school history with their 16th straight and now own the record for Clemson’s longest conference streak with Saturday’s 13th consecutive victory against ACC opponents.

“This weekend was a great one for us,” Hoover said. “Last night’s match against North Carolina was a defensive battle and we were happy to come out with the win. I am proud of how this team has defended its home court.”

“We knew we were in a good position with five straight at home. We just have one more to focus on with Georgia Tech coming here on Tuesday and then we go back on the road.”

Chrissy Zirpolo led the Wolfpack (3-20, 0-12) with nine kills and also recorded a team-best nine defensive saves.

Hepburn was a perfect 6-for-6 in the first game, leading the Tigers to a 30-11 win. Clemson put together a trio of six-point runs after scoring the first seven points of the frame. The Tigers committed just four errors in the game, while posting 14 kills, four service aces and three total blocks. Hepburn also had two kills in Clemson’s final stretch, while Sue Eckman clinched the win with her third ace of the day.

NC State stayed with the Tigers in game two, holding an early 9-6 advantage. However, Clemson strung together six straight points to take the lead. Hepburn and Lia Proctor each recorded a pair of kills in the run. After the Tigers widened the margin to five at 23-18, the Wolfpack scored three of the next four points to come within three. Clemson responded with its own three-point run and closed out the game, 30-24.

The Tigers then opened the third game with an 8-1 run thanks to a seven-point stretch on Eckman’s serve. They extended the lead to as many as 15 at 27-12 before NC State posted three straight points, including a block and a kill by Jana Angel. Freshman Meghan Hinemeyer then scored the final point of the night for Clemson with a kill.

The Tigers will have a quick turnaround, as they will play host to Georgia Tech on Tuesday, Oct. 30. The teams will take to the court at 7:00 pm from Jervey Gym.