Clemson Upsets Top-Seeded Georgia Tech in Volleyball at the ACC Tournament

Nov. 19, 2004

Charlottesville, VA – Clemson volleyball handed top-seeded Georgia Tech its only conference loss of the 2004 season on Friday in a 3-1 upset (31-29, 27-30, 30-28, 30-25) in Memorial Gymnasium on the University of Virginia campus. The Yellow Jackets were 16-0 in the regular season in the ACC. Clemson notched its 20th win for the first time since the 1999 season.

“This was a very big win because Georgia Tech is a really good team,” said Jolene Jordan Hoover, head coach at Clemson. “I’m proud of how we played today and yesterday against Virginia Tech. It was a battle to beat Virginia Tech because of their defense, and Georgia Tech has the top-rated offense, so it was two exciting wins in two days.”

Leslie Finn tied her season high with 30 kills in the match. She previously had 30 against the Yellow Jackets in a loss at Clemson earlier this season. So, in eight games versus Georgia Tech this year, Finn had 60 kills. Brittany Ross also set a season and career high with 25 kills. Her previous best was 20. She also set a career-high with a .489 hitting percentage.

Stephanie Haskell had 34 assists and 16 digs, while Anna Vallinch led the Tigers with 20 defensive saves. Her 20 digs helped her pass Denise Murphy for the single-season digs record. She has an even 600 this season.

For Georgia Tech, ACC Player of the Year Lynette Moster had 25 kills. Lindsey Laband had 77 assists, while Marisa Aston chipped in 19 digs. Ulrike Stegemann hit .480 to lead the Yellow Jackets, and she also had five total blocks.

In the first game, Clemson trailed 18-16. However, the Tigers won five straight points and earned the win on a block from Meg Steiner and Courtney Lawrence. In the second game, Georgia Tech rode four consecutive kills by Stegemann to take an insurmountable 21-17 lead.

The Tigers got off strong in the third game, leading 10-5 early on. Clemson kept the lead, thanks in large part to 10 kills from Finn. The Tigers broke an 18-18 tie in the fourth game with five of the next six points. Ross had nine kills in the final game.

Next up for Clemson is a 1:30 match on Saturday in the semifinals. The Tigers will face the winner of the North Carolina-Florida State match, which followed the conclusion of the Tigers’ win over the Yellow Jackets.