Hepburn Sets School Block Record As Tigers Sweep Maryland On Sunday

Oct. 19, 2008

COLLEGE PARK, MD – Danielle Hepburn became school career blocks leader and the Tiger volleyball team defeated Maryland 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-9) in College Park on Sunday. The win was Clemson’s seventh consecutive conference win and moved the Tigers into a three-way tie for first place in the league.

Hepburn notched seven total blocks on the afternoon to total 612 for her career, bettering Cindy Stern’s mark of 611 from 1996-99. The Tiger senior also holds school career records for block assists, hitting percentage and blocks per set.

“Cindy Stern’s was an excellent player, and it is an honor to be mentioned with some of the greatest names in Tiger volleyball history,” said Hepburn. “I am happy to have the record, but we still have more goals to accomplish as a team.”

The Tigers are now 15-5 on the year with a 7-2 ledger against ACC foes.

“What excites me the most about this team is that each week we keep improving,” said Head Coach Jolene Jordan Hoover. “We have been fortunate to get some breaks and put some W’s in the win column. We are proud of what we have accomplished so far, but our season goals are still ahead of us.”

Hoover added, “We are so fortunate to have Dee (Hepburn). She has been so solid for four seasons in a row and I am happy that she was able to claim this record and put her stamp on the Clemson Volleyball program because she has contributed so much.”

Hepburn posted a team-high 14 kills, while hitting .478 for the match in addition to her seven blocks on the defensive front. Didem Ege recorded 21 digs, while Lia Proctor chipped in with seven.

Mary Beth Brown led Maryland (5-16, 1-8 ACC) with nine kills, playing in only the final two sets.

The Tigers jumped out to a 1-0 match lead, taking the first set 25-18. Lia Proctor.

The second set saw eight tied scores and four lead changes. With the Terps leading 11-10, the Tigers went on a 6-1 run to seize the lead at 15-12. Holding a 19-17 edge, Clemson scored six consecutive points to put away the set.

Maryland took a 1-0 lead in the third set, but Clemson quickly pushed back with an 8-0 run. With the score 19-7, Hepburn and Murphy combined to block a Terrapin attack, giving the school record to Hepburn with her 612th career block. Hepburn had tied the record with the second Tiger point in the third set.

Clemson will return to action next weekend as the Tigers remain on the road for matches against North Carolina and NC State. Clemson will take on the Tar Heels Friday night in Chapel Hill before facing the Wolfpack on Saturday in Raleigh.