Clemson Volleyball Defeats Kentucky, 3-2

Nov. 23, 2001

CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson volleyball team ended the 2001 season with a 3-2 win over Kentucky. The Tigers won the first game 30-17, but dropped games two and three each by the score of 30-25. Clemson rebounded in game four, winning it 30-25, and claimed game five 15-10.

Tonight’s win over Kentucky, along with a 3-1 victory over Georgia, gives Clemson a 2-1 record against SEC teams this season. After tonight’s match, the Tigers are 2-3 in five-game matches this season. The match against Kentucky is the third consecutive five-game match for Clemson, as Clemson had just two five-game matches in its first 25 contests. The Tigers’ record stands at 11-17 overall, while Kentucky finishes the season with a 13-15 mark.

The match was tight as there were 25 ties and 18 lead changes in the five games. Clemson hit .243 for the match compared to the Wildcats’ .202 hitting percentage. The Tigers dominated the net with 11 team blocks and Kentucky had six blocks. Clemson also recorded 11 service aces while the Wildcats served up six aces for the match.

In her final match as a Tiger, Jodi Steffes tallied a double-double with 17 kills, 10 digs, seven blocks and a .471 hitting percentage (17-1-34). Freshman Leslie Finn tallied a match-high 21 kills, four service aces and a .319 hitting percentage, and red-shirt freshman Ryane Beasley was a third Tiger in double-figure kills with 10. Junior Jessi Betcher handed out 35 assists while freshman Breezy Ambort added 18. Betcher also led the team in digs with 14, while freshman Lori Ashton contributed six blocks.

Kentucky’s Sarah spinner led the Wildcats with 16 kills, while Anne Koester added 15 kills with a .323 hitting percentage (15-5-31). Kristen Batt posted a double-double with 14 kills and a match-high 19 digs, while Sissy Canfield added 12 kills. Kristi Kelley handed out 55 assists with 12 digs, and Toni Lee had 10 digs.