Clemson Volleyball Sweeps Boston College, 3-0, On Friday Night

Oct. 19, 2007

CLEMSON, SC – The Tiger defense held Boston College to just a .056 hitting percentage while tallying 10 total team blocks as the Clemson volleyball team swept the Eagles at Jervey Gym on Friday night. The win extended the Tigers’ streak to 13 straight and improved their conference-leading record to 10-0.

“We played very well defensively tonight,” Head Coach Jolene Jordan Hoover said. “I’m happy we survived against a tough team in Boston College.”

Junior Danielle Hepburn led Clemson (17-2, 10-0 ACC) offensively with 16 kills and hit .444 in the match. Seniors Leslie Mansfield and Meghan Steiner each tallied six total blocks on Friday night, while Mansfield also recorded a team-best 12 digs.

Kelsey Johnson posted a team-high 14 kills for Boston College (10-11, 4-7 ACC) while Cathy Quilico tallied 15 defensive saves.

The Tigers endured a late Eagle rally to record a 30-24 victory in the first game. After trailing, 12-10, Clemson scored six straight points to take the lead. With the Tigers ahead, 21-17, Boston College posted five of the next seven points to narrow the margin to just one. Back-to-back errors by the Eagles gave Clemson a 25-22 advantage and the Tigers surrendered just two more points in the frame.

Hepburn tallied kills for their 28th and 30th points, while recording a block with Kelsey Murphy for #29 during the three-point rally that sealed the win.

Clemson then opened the second game on a 16-6 run. Boston College rallied for six straight points and held the Tigers to just three points before coming within one at 19-18. An Eagle service error returned the serve to Clemson’s Murphy and the home team capitalized. The Tiger setter rallied off seven more points to widen the gap to 27-18, Clemson’s largest of the match. A block by Hepburn and Mansfield clinched the 30-20 victory and a 2-0 lead for the Tigers.

Boston College scored the first two points of the third set and the score remained tight throughout. Clemson gained control at 10-7 after a four-point rally that included two kills by Lia Proctor. The Tigers held a 19-14 advantage when the Eagles rallied to post seven of the next 10 points and cut the lead to one.

Clemson responded, closing out the game and match on an 8-2 run of its own. The Tigers posted the last four points of the evening, with two coming on service aces by Sue Eckman and two off of kills by Hepburn.

The Tigers will look for their 14th straight win on Saturday as they play host to Maryland. The teams are scheduled to take to the court at 6:00 pm.