Volleyball Picked Fifth In Preseason ACC Poll

The Clemson volleyball team is predicted to finish fifth in the ACC in 2004, as determined by a vote of the league’s 11 head coaches. In addition, Lori Ashton and Leslie Finn were named to the preseason All-ACC team. The Tigers were sixth in the ACC a year ago, and completed the 2003 campaign with an 18-16 overall mark and a 6-10 record in league play. Clemson advanced to the semi-finals of the 2003 ACC Tournament before falling to eventual tournament champion Maryland.   Georgia Tech was selected as the ACC volleyball preseason top pick, after reaching the regional finals of the 2003 NCAA Championship. The Yellow Jackets narrowly edged Maryland in the preseason rankings. The Terrapins finished the 2003 season with a 27-8 overall mark and as the ACC Tournament champions. North Carolina is predicted to finish in third place, while Wake Forest is fourth. Clemson and Florida State tied for fifth place, and ACC newcomer Miami is picked seventh. Virginia, Duke, Virginia Tech and NC State round out the ACC preseason poll.   A senior outside hitter from San Diego, CA, Finn led the 2003 Tigers with a 4.40 kills per game average while ranking second in service aces and digs. Fellow senior Lori Ashton, a middle hitter from Waldorf, MD, ranked second in blocks (1.15 per game) and kills per game (3.41 average) while leading the team with a .296 hitting percentage.   The 2004 Tigers will open their season on Sept. 1 as they play host to Western Carolina in a 7:00 PM match at Jervey Gym.   2004 ACC Volleyball Preseason Poll Place Points2003 Record 1. Georgia Tech (7)11634-4 2. Maryland (4)11227-8 3. North Carolina9320-12 4. Wake Forest7821-10 5. Clemson6818-16 Florida State6816-17 7. Miami5822-9 8. Virginia4925-9 9. Duke4810-19 10. Virginia Tech2113-14 11. NC State157-25   2004 Volleyball Preseason All-ACC Team Lori Ashton Clemson Marisa AstonGeorgia Tech Leslie FinnClemson Alexis GeocarisVirginia Aimee HuddlestonMaryland Stephanie IstvanDuke Cassie McLaughlinFlorida State Lynnette MosterGeorgia Tech Molly PylesNorth Carolina Tassy RufaiDuke Valerie RydbergWake Forest Lauren SauerGeorgia Tech Valeria TipianaMiami Rachel WagenerMaryland