Volleyball To Play Host To Clemson Invitational This Weekend

The Clemson volleyball team will play host to the Clemson Invitational Friday and Saturday in Jervey Gym. The Tigers will look to defend their 2002 tournament title, as Charleston Southern, East Tennessee State, and Illinois-Chicago come to town for the 2003 showdown.

This weekend’s tournament is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. as Charleston Southern and Illinois-Chicago take the court, while the Tigers will play East Tennessee State on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. On Saturday morning, at 10:00 a.m., Illinois-Chicago and East Tennessee State will square off, followed by Clemson and Charleston Southern at 12:00 p.m. East Tennessee State and Charleston Southern will face off at 4:30 p.m. The tournament will conclude Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. as the Tigers take on Illinois-Chicago.

Clemson enters this weekend’s tournament with a 7-5 overall record, after defeating Georgia 3-1 Wednesday night in Athens, GA. Lori Ashton leads the team with 156 kills, a 3.47 kills per game average and a .275 hitting percentage. The middle hitter also leads the team at the net with 56 blocks (19 solo). Leslie Finn has 149 kills with 121 digs, while Ryane Beasley has tallied 129 kills with 74 digs and 54 blocks (nine solo). Liz Beckham has recorded 104 kills and is second on the team with 123 digs and a 3.24 digs per game average. Marija Zoric has 39 blocks with a 1.34 blocks per game average, and Carly Hill has served up a team-best 18 service aces. Stephanie Haskell has handed out 354 assists with a 9.32 assists per game average.

Charleston Southern has a 9-1 overall record entering the Clemson Invitational, after defeating Louisiana-Monroe and Mercer, but falling to UNC-Greensboro last weekend. Rebecca Miller leads the Buccaneers with 135 kills, 90 digs and 25 blocks (six solo). Allyn Beam has tallied 116 kills with a .341 hitting percentage, while Tori Owens has added 74 kills with 14 service aces and 99 digs. Erin Wicker leads the Buccaneers at the net with 26 blocks and a 1.00 blocks per game average. Katie O’Riordan has recorded 404 assists with a 10.36 assists per game average and 95 digs. Clemson boasts a perfect 10-0 record against Charleston Southern, and a 41-14 all-time record against teams from the Big South. The Tigers and Buccaneers last met on the court in 1996, as Clemson downed Charleston Southern 3-0 in Jervey Gym.

East Tennessee State has a 1-9 record entering this weekend’s tournament, most recently falling to Chattanooga on Wednesday night. Lissa Allen has a team-best 81 kills with a 2.70 kills per game average. Allen has served up 11 service aces with 11 blocks (four solo). Kate Steidle has 66 kills with 53 digs, while Karen Freeburg has recorded 61 kills with a team-best 90 digs. Kristi Robinson has handed out 241 assists with 49 digs and six blocks. The Tigers own an 8-0 all-time record against East Tennessee State, and an 88-25 record against teams from the Southern Conference. This season the Tigers are 2-1 against Southern Conference teams.

Illinois Chicago enters this weekend with a 4-6 record, after defeating Stony Brook 3-0 last weekend. Teaha Shepperd leads the Flames with 139 kills and a 3.97 kills per game average. Shepperd has posted 23 blocks (four solo) with 11 service aces. Kristi Herrington is second on the team with 99 kills and a .270 hitting percentage. Jordan Studzinski has 61 kills with a team-best 107 digs, while Lindsey Filkins has tallied 94 digs. Ambria Springer has recorded 15 service aces, and Meghan Keck has 316 assist with 75 digs. The Tigers are 1-0 all-time against Illinois-Chicago and 5-3 all-time against teams from the Horizon League. The last time the two teams met was in 1996, as Clemson defeated the Flames 3-0 in Jervey Gym.

Admission to all Clemson home volleyball matches in Jervey Gym is free to the public.

2003 Clemson Invitational Schedule

Friday, Sept. 194:30 p.m. - Charleston Southern vs. Illinois-Chicago7:00 p.m. - Clemson vs. East Tennessee State

Saturday, Sept. 20 10:00 a.m. – Illinois-Chicago vs. East Tennessee State 12:00 p.m. – Clemson vs. Charleston Southern 4:30 p.m. – East Tennessee State vs. Charleston Southern 7:00 p.m. – Clemson vs. Illinois-Chicago