July 25, 2002

CLEMSON, SC - The Clemson volleyball team was picked to finish sixth in the ACC, as determined by a vote of the league's nine head coaches. Three-time defending ACC Tournament Champion (1999-2001) North Carolina was selected as the top pick for the upcoming season with 78 points, and Duke was second with 69 points. Georgia Tech tallied 63 points for third, Maryland was picked fourth (45 points) and Florida State ranks sixth with 42 points. Clemson is sixth (38 points), Wake Forest ranks seventh (36 points), Virginia was picked eighth with 24 points and NC State rounds out the league with 10 points.

The Tigers return four starters, including setter Jessi Betcher, outside hitters Ryane Beasley and Leslie Finn, as well as middle hitter Lori Ashton who earned ACC All-Freshman team honors in 2001. Last season, Clemson finished seventh in the ACC with an 11-17 overall record and a 4-12 mark in conference play.

2002 Pre-Season ACC Volleyball Poll

School	Points	2001 Record/Finish
1. North Carolina	78	24-9, 12-4 ACC/T2nd
2. Duke		69	23-5, 13-3 ACC/1st
3. Georgia Tech	63	19-8, 12-4 ACC/T2nd
4. Maryland	45	12-14, 7-9 ACC/6th
5. Florida State	42	17-12, 10-6 ACC/T3rd
6. Clemson	38	11-17, 4-12 ACC/7th
7. Wake Forest	36	20-11, 10-6 ACC/T3rd
8. Virginia	24	9-18, 3-13 ACC/8th
9. NC State	10	6-21, 1-15 ACC/9th