Clemson Volleyball To Play Host To North Carolina, NC State

Oct. 24, 2007

CLEMSON, SC – The Tiger volleyball team will look to extend its record-setting ACC winning streak this weekend at home against North Carolina and NC State. Clemson, now 18-2 overall and 11-0 in the ACC, and North Carolina (9-11, 5-6 ACC) are scheduled to begin play at 7:00 pm on Friday night, which has been designated as a Dig For The Cure event. The Tigers will then take on the Wolfpack (3-18, 0-11) at 6:00 pm on Saturday.

The first 500 fans in attendance on Friday night will receive Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbons. Fans or businesses can pledge money per dig recorded by Clemson in the match, or they can make a flat donation. The money raised goes directly to the Upstate South Carolina Chapter of the Komen Foundation.

Fans can also follow this weekend’s action on the Internet. Both matches will be available on livestats by accessing www.clemsontigers.com, while the North Carolina contest will be broadcast as part of ACC Select.

Watch Clemson vs. North Carolina Live!

The Tigers are currently atop the ACC standings and are riding a 14-match winning streak. Meghan Steiner is leading the conference and is ranked ninth in the nation with a .415 hitting percentage. The senior middle hitter has tallied 192 kills this season to go along with 81 total blocks. Overall, Clemson is ranked #15 nationally with a .275 team hitting percentage, due in large part to Steiner and Danielle Hepburn (.382). Sophomore setter Kelsey Murphy has totaled 834 assists this season and is just 50 shy of 2,000 for her career. The New Lenox, IL native ranks second in the league with a 12.09 assist per game average, whlie also tallying 247 digs and 66 total blocks.

Scouting the Tar Heels North Carolina is coming off of a 3-0 sweep of Miami last Saturday and now owns a 9-11 overall record with a 5-6 conference mark.

Christine Vaughn ranks second on the team with 180 kills while leading the squad with a .331 hitting percentage and 83 total blocks. Lauren Prussing owns a team-high 204 kills, while Stephanie Jansma has recorded 878 assists as the team’s setter. Overall, the Tar Heels are averaging 3.00 blocks per game while allowing the opposition just 2.16 per game. Offensively, North Carolina averages 14.32 kills per game and has posted 88 service aces.

Clemson vs. North Carolina, The Series The Tar Heels own a 47-14 all-time advantage in the series history, which dates back to 1979. The teams split last year’s contests with each one winning on its home court, while Clemson defeated North Carolina in Chapel Hill earlier this season. It marked the Tigers’ first road victory over the Tar Heels since 1999.

Clemson won the match-up by a 3-1 margin, as North Carolina has been one of just three schools to claim a game off of the Tigers during their 14-match winning streak. In contests played at Jervey Gym, Clemson trails the Tar Heels, 5-14.

Scouting the Wolfpack NC State will enter the weekend with a 3-18 overall record, having yet to win a conference match at 0-11. Most recently, the Wolfpack fell to Miami and Florida State in Raleigh. It will face Georgia Tech on Friday night in Atlanta.

Lauren Zaniboni leads the team 244 kills and has also recorded 51 blocks. Setter Alex Smith has tallied 583 assists while Ashley Wallace owns a team-best 64 total blocks, including 19 solos. NC State is averaging 12.34 kills per game with 2.23 blocks per game as a team.

Clemson vs. NC State, The Series Clemson leads the all-time score against NC State by a 31-17 margin and has won the last 19 match-ups. The Tigers defeated the Wolfpack twice last season, sweeping NC State in both contests. They have also already recorded a sweep of the Wolfpack in 2007, in their ACC season opener on Sept. 21 in Raleigh.

The Wolfpack’s last victory came during the 1995 season when it claimed a 3-1 decision on the Tigers’ home court. Clemson owns a 16-4 record when facing NC State in on its home court.