Tiger Volleyball Team Claims Clemson Invitational Crown With 3-2 Win Over Illinois-Chicago

Sept. 20, 2003

CLEMSON, S.C. – The Tiger volleyball team claimed the 2003 Clemson Invitational crown with a 3-2 win over the University of Illinois-Chicago on Saturday night at Jervey Gym. With the win, Clemson stands at 10-5 on the season, while Illinois-Chicago falls to 6-8 on the year. The Tigers are on an eight-match winning streak, dating back to a 3-1 victory over in-state rival South Carolina on Sept. 9. The Tigers are 6-2 at home in 2003.

In the tournament finale, Clemson dropped the first game 27-30, then rallied to win games two and three by scores of 30-26 and 30-21. Illinois-Chicago edged the Tigers 31-29 in game four, then Clemson captured the decisive game with a convincing 15-5 score. For the match, Clemson hit .263 with 18 team blocks (eight solo) and five service aces. Illinois-Chicago recorded a .128 hitting percentage with eight team blocks and nine service aces.

Freshman Liz Beckham, from Summerville, SC, recorded a career-high 24 kills with 10 digs and three blocks (one solo). Leslie Finn added 23 kills with 11 digs and a .320 hitting percentage, and Ryane Beasley posted 14 kills with seven blocks (two solo) and a .500 hitting percentage. Lori Ashton recorded 12 kills with nine blocks, four of which were solo. Rookie Dawn Robertson tallied a double-double with a career-best 57 assists and 13 digs. Lindsey Abbott recorded 18 digs, and Kristin Swanson contributed an additional five blocks (one solo).

Teaha Sheppard led Illinois-Chicago with 22 kills and 17 digs, while Kristi Herrington added 14 kills with four blocks. Meghan Keck handed out 43 assists with eight digs and three blocks, and Catherine Roy recorded 15 digs. Jordan Studzinksi tallied 16 digs, and Megan Hoffman had four blocks.

In the first match of the third round, East Tennessee State edged Charleston Southern, 3-2. Charleston Southern won the first two games by scores of 30-21 and 33-31, but East Tennessee State claimed the final three games by scores of 30-28, 31-29 and 15-11 to win the match. With the win, East Tennessee State improves to 2-11 on the season, while Charleston Southern falls to 9-5 overall.

Kelsey Sherich led East Tennessee State with 22 kills and a .308 hitting percentage. Lissa Allen added 19 kills with two service aces and nine digs, while Karen Freeburg tallied 14 kills with 19 digs. Kate Steidle also posted a double-double with 12 kills and 10 digs. Sara Scandiffio had 14 digs with a team-best six blocks. As a team, East Tennessee hit .261 with seven team blocks and seven service aces.

Charleston Southern was led by Allyn Beam’s 21-kill, 10-dig performance. Melanie Johnson tallied 17 kills with five blocks, and Becky Miller had 15 kills with 17 digs. Jenni Shepherd added 13 kills with six blocks, and Tori Owens had a team-high 21 digs. Katie O’Riordan dished out 63 assists, and Rachel DeAngelo had 10 digs. As a team, Charleston Southern hit .296 with 11.5 team blocks and four service aces.

Clemson returns to action on Tuesday, Sept. 23, as the Tigers open conference play at North Carolina. Tuesday evening’s match is slated for 7:00 PM in Chapel Hill.