Clemson’s Danielle Hepburn Invited To USA Volleyball Open Tryout

Feb. 9, 2009

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Clemson’s Danielle Hepburn will be one of approximately 160 athletes as part of its U.S. Women’s National Team Open Tryout set for Feb. 20-22 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. Hepburn broke school career records in total blocks, block assists and blocks per set, while leading the Tigers to their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance as a senior in 2008.

The 6’2″ middle blocker amassed a lengthy list of honors during her career and became just the second player in Clemson history to be named to an All-America team. Hepburn was also recently named to the 2008 CVU.com Stellar Spiker First Team and was an Honorable Mention Blocker-of-the-Year by the same service. She became just the third player in school history to be named First-Team All-ACC three times, joining Robin Kibben and Cindy Stern.

In 2008, the native of Miami, FL led the Tigers to a 23-10 record with 472 kills and a .391 hitting percentage. Hepburn owns the Clemson record with a career .357 hitting percentage and ranked 15th nationally last season for the statistic.

As part of the tryout, athletes will compete for spots on the USA Women’s Volleyball National Team program. Athletes not selected to participate with the National Team may be considered for other programs run by USA Volleyball. Included in this list of other programs are the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team competing at the FIVB Women’s Junior World Championship or the USA Women’s Senior A2 Teams competing at the USA Adult Open Championships. A total of 33 athletes are eligible for the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team as well as the other National Team programs.

U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) will lead a team of 30 tryout staff that will serve as court coaches and evaluators putting the players through physical testing, drills and match play.

“USA women’s volleyball has such depth and talent, it is wonderful to see this many outstanding young athletes attending this National Team tryout,” McCutcheon said. “I believe playing for the National Team is the highest achievement possible for our indoor players. In that regard, our goal is to create the best environment for these players to train and compete at the international level.”

The tentative roster, which could change depending on late adds or drops due to injury, includes 44 outside hitters, 41 middle blockers, 35 liberos, 26 setters and 14 opposites. A total of 64 different colleges are represented on the roster, including four non-NCAA Division I institutions.

Athletes in college with collegiate eligibility remaining for the 2009 season and not selected to the USA Women’s National Team may be invited to participate on the USA Senior A2 Teams. This program is scheduled to take place in Minneapolis from May 18 through May 27. A projected 24 athletes will be invited to participate in the program, which will include training and competition in the 2009 USA Adult Open Championships in the Open Division from May 23-26.