Volleyball to Play Host to Miami and Florida State this Weekend

Oct. 1, 2008

CLEMSON, SC – The Clemson volleyball team will play host to Miami and Florida State this weekend to begin a four-match homestand. The Tigers (9-5, 1-2 ACC) and Hurricanes (13-1, 2-1) are slated for a 7:00 pm match at Jervey Gym on Friday night, while Clemson will take on the Seminoles (9-4, 1-2) on Saturday at 6:00 pm.

Livestats will be available for both matches by accessing www.clemsontigers.com. Both contests will also be broadcast live on the Internet via ACC Select and can be viewed by clicking on the links below.

Watch Clemson vs. Miami Live on ACC Select!Watch Clemson vs. Florida State Live on ACC Select!

Clemson’s defense is posting 2.97 blocks per set to rank fourth nationally and is led by senior Danielle Hepburn’s 80 blocks so far this season. The native of Miami, FL also leads the team in hitting percentage with a .347 figure in 2008. She has tallied 190 kills on the year, trailing outside hitter Lia Proctor’s 195. Jeannette Abbott has also recorded over 100 kills so far in 2008 to give the Tiger offense and setter Kelsey Murphy a balanced attack. Murphy is averaging 10.48 assists per set while also tallying 132 defensive saves and 63 total blocks.

Scouting The Opposition The Hurricanes will bring a 13-1 overall record and a 2-1 conference ledger into Jervey Gym on Friday night. Miami won its first 13 matches before falling at Wake Forest in three on Saturday, Sept. 26. Genny Mayhew leads the Hurricane offense with 155 kills while setter Katie Gallagher is guiding the team to a .268 hitting percentage. Defensively, Miami is averaging 2.55 blocks per game while holding the opposition to just 11.49 kills per set. Three players have tallied triple digit dig totals for the year, led by Cassie Loessberg’s 229.

Florida State will enter the weekend’s action with a 9-4 mark and a 1-2 record in ACC contests. The Seminoles will take on Georgia Tech on Friday before matching up with the Tigers on Saturday. Four Florida State players have posted at least 100 kills in 2008, while the Seminole defense is limiting its opponents to a meager .157 hitting clip. The figure can be attributed to stellar blocking as Florida State has posted 138 team blocks, compared to just 81 allowed.

Clemson Against The Field The Tigers lead the series score over Miami by a 7-2 margin and have won the last five meetings. Clemson swept the Hurricanes at home last season to improve to 4-0 against Miami at Jervey Gym. The Tigers trail Florida State, 21-18, all-time but defeated the Seminoles in three sets in both 2007 meetings.

Veterans Against The Field The Tigers’ five returning starters have all seen action in multiple matches against Virginia and Virginia Tech. – Jeannette Abbott – is averaging 4.79 kills per set against Miami with 58 digs; has tallied seven service aces and 21 total blocks against the Seminoles, her highest blocking numbers against an ACC opponent; – Didem Ege – owns 81 defensive saves in four matches against the Hurricanes and 69 versus Florida State; – Danielle Hepburn’s – has totaled 63 kills and 38 total blocks in six matches against Miami; is averaging 3.1 kills and 1.5 blocks per set against Florida State; – Meghan Hinemeyer – has played in two matches against Florida State; – Kelsey Murphy – is averaging 12.00 assists per set against Miami with 30 digs and 8 total blocks; tallied 134 assists in four matches against the Seminoles; – Lia Proctor’s – has totaled 40 kills and 17 digs in 14 sets played against the Hurricanes with 25 kills in four matches against Florida State.