Clemson Volleyball Team Falls To #19 South Carolina

Oct. 10, 2001

CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson volleyball team dropped a 3-1 (23-30, 33-31, 32-30, 30-16) decision to 19th-ranked University of South Carolina Wednesday night in Jervey Gym. The Gamecocks improve to 11-2 on the season, while the Tigers fall to 5-9.

The numbers for both teams were almost even as Clemson hit .237 for the match, and South Carolina had a .234 hitting percentage. The Gamecocks tallied 60 assists to the Tigers’ 55. South Carolina recorded 68 digs, and Clemson had 54 defensive saves. The Tigers dominated the Gamecocks in blocks as Clemson posted 16 total blocks (five solo), while South Carolina had eight team blocks (two solo). South Carolina served up 14 aces, and Clemson tallied 11.

Clemson was led by Jodi Steffes and Ryane Beasley, who each tallied 20 kills. Steffes finished the night with 20 kills, 6 errors, and 42 attempts for a .333 hitting percentage, while Beasley had 20 kills and 16 digs. Steffes also tallied nine digs and seven blocks for the Tigers. Leslie Finn was the only other Tiger in double-figure kills with 10. Marija Zoric led Clemson with a career-high nine blocks (one solo), while Lori Ashton added six more, including three solo blocks. Jessi Betcher handed out 31 assists and served up three service aces. Meredith Kirtland added 11 digs with three service aces.

Cally Plummer and Yajaira Cadet led the Gamecocks with 15 kills and 14 digs. Both Plummer and Cadet tallied 14 digs each, and Plummer had a match-high eight service aces. Megan Hosp handed out 55 assists with a team-high 15 digs. Nadia Sefferovich tallied 12 kills with four blocks (one solo). Berna Dwyer was the only other South Carolina player in double-figure kills with 10.

Head coach Jolene Jordan Hoover was pleased with the way her team played. “We played really well. This was a difficult loss because the games were so close. However, the team improves every time they are on the court, and are positive and ready to play each match.”

The Tigers will play host to Virginia Friday night at 7:00 pm and Maryland on Saturday night at 6:00 pm. Admission is free to all volleyball matches.