Sept. 6, 2004

COLUMBIA, S.C. –
It is Carolina-Clemson time and the Gamecock Volleyball team looks to open their home season with a twist as the two teams will meet Tuesday, Sept. 7 at the Colonial Center. Match time is set for 7 p.m. and admission is $1. A block party will be held for all fans beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Colonial Center. Cocky, the USC Cheerleaders, face painting, Chick-fil-A and more will be on hand.

“This is an exciting time for our team. The Carolina-Clemson series is big here and our girls remember what it was like last year losing to them,” said head coach Kim Hudson. “We are going to have to be focused and ready to play hard.”

All fans are encouraged to attend as USC attempts for a volleyball attendance record. The attendance record for the state of South Carolina is 1,793 which was set back in 2001 when USC hosted Florida. The attendance record at an SEC school is 8,163, which the University of Florida set back in 1994 in a match against Georgia at the O’Connell Center.

“Playing in the Colonial Center will be an exciting change for us. This is the first time ever that volleyball has been played in this arena,” said Hudson. “Our fans are very loyal and dedicated and they can make this atmosphere really great.”

The Gamecocks are coming off of a 2-1 weekend when they finished second at the Wake Forest Invitational. USC lost to Wake 3-1 but defeated Connecticut 3-1 and Marshall 3-0. Shonda Cole and Lynae Vanden Hull were both named to the all-tournament team.

The Tigers are 4-1 and have posted wins over then-No. 21 Northern Iowa, Western Carolina and The Citadel. Clemson’s only loss was a 3-2 fall to Winthrop.

This marks the 51st meeting of the rivalry and the Gamecocks lead the series 31-19. In Columbia, USC leads 17-6 and the last time the Gamecocks lost to the Tigers in Columbia was in 1994.