Clemson Volleyball Travels to Florida to Take on Florida State and Miami

Nov. 2, 2006

CLEMSON, SC – The Tiger volleyball team (14-7, 9-4 ACC) will head to the State of Florida for matches against the Seminoles and Hurricanes this weekend. Clemson will face Florida State (16-7, 10-4 ACC) on Friday at 7:00 pm in Tallahassee and then take on Miami (9-14, 6-8 ACC) at 1:00 pm on Sunday afternoon in Coral Gables. Fans may follow the action for both matches via livestats on www.clemsontigers.com.

Tiger Danielle Hepburn is ranked fifth in the nation with a 1.74 blocks per game average. The native of Miami, FL has recorded 132 total blocks in 76 games played. The figure also ranks Hepburn first in the ACC, while she also leads the conference with a .375 hitting percentage. Fellow sophomore Jeannette Abbott is also atop the ACC statistical rankings with a 4.61 kills per game average. She is also ranked 29th in the country for the category. Abbott has tallied 350 kills this season to lead Clemson

Overall, the Tigers are ranked 11th in the nation for blocks per game, as they are averaging 3.29 per contest.

Scouting the Seminoles Florida State enters Friday night’s match with a 16-7 overall record and a 10-4 mark in conference action. Makini Thompson leads the squad with 304 kills, while Sarah Griffin has posted 226 to rank second. Griffin also leads the Seminoles with a 1.09 blocks per game average.

Overall, Florida State is recording 15.66 kills per game with a .280 hitting percentage, while holding opponents to 12.42 kills per game and a .180 figure. The Seminoles are out-blocking their opposition, 190 to 165, and have tallied 36 more service aces.

Clemson vs. Florida State, The Series The Tigers defeated the Seminoles by a 3-0 margin earlier this season in Clemson, SC to narrow Florida State’s lead in the overall series score to 21-15. Meghan Steiner led the Tigers with 14 kills in the contest, while libero Didem Ege tallied 23 digs in just three game. In last year’s match in Tallahassee, Clemson outlasted the Seminoles to post the 3-2 victory.

Scouting the Hurricanes Miami will begin this weekend’s play with a 9-14 overall record and a 6-8 ledger against ACC opponents. Frannie Savage has posted a team-best 338 kills while also recording 138 digs and 58 total blocks. Ciara Michel leads the Hurricanes at the net with 115 total blocks.

As a team, Miami has tallied 1,257 kills with 1,296 defensive saves. The Hurricanes are averaging 2.58 blocks per game, while holding their opponents to 2.37 per contest.

Clemson vs. Miami, The Series The Tigers’ 3-1 defeat of the Hurricanes earlier this season began an eight-match winning streak for Clemson and increased their all-time lead in the short history between the schools to 4-2.

Danielle Hepburn added 18 kills and six total blocks in the victory.

In last season’s contest in Coral Gables, Miami claimed the 3-2 victory.