Tipiana Named to 2004 Preseason All-ACC Volleyball Team

Aug. 6, 2004

CORAL GABLES, Fla. –

<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>University of Miami senior outside hitter Valeria Tipiana was named to the 2004 Preseason All-ACC Volleyball Team while the Hurricanes were picked to finish seventh in the Preseason ACC Coaches Poll Friday.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

As voted on by coaches from around the conference, Tipiana drew Preseason All-ACC accolades after an impressive 2003 campaign that saw the Lima, Peru native record at least one kill, one dig and one block in all but three matches played, with 335 total kills and a 3.81 kills per game average despite missing five matches during the season.

Tipiana enters the 2004 season as the Hurricanes’ all-time leader in kills (989), service aces (83) and points (1193.0) behind a career hitting percentage of .313.

The honor marks the second preseason selection on Tipiana’s career, as she was named to the 2003 Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team in addition to being selected as the BIG EAST Player of the Year in 2002, the 2003 BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year and an All-BIG EAST Second Team selection following the 2003 season.

The Hurricanes were picked by coaches to finish seventh overall in the 2004 ACC Preseason Poll, receiving 58 total votes as UM makes it’s inaugural season in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Miami begins the 2004 season September 1, heading cross-town to take on inner-city rival Florida International at 7 p.m. before hosting the annual Hurricane Invitational September 3-4 at the Knight Sports Complex.

2004 ACC Volleyball Preseason Poll

      Team                           Points  2003 Record

1.   Georgia Tech (7)            116       34-4

2.   Maryland (4)                  112       27-8

3.   North Carolina                93         20-12

4.   Wake Forest                 78         21-10

5.   Clemson                       68         18-16

      Florida State                  68         16-17

7.   Miami                          58         22-9

8.   Virginia                         49         25-9

9.   Duke                             48         10-19

10.  Virginia Tech                 21         13-14

11.  NC State                       15         7-25

2004 ACC Volleyball Preseason All-ACC Team

Lori Ashton                          Clemson

Marisa Aston                       Georgia Tech

Leslie Finn                          Clemson

Alexis Geocaris                   Virginia

Aimee Huddleston                Maryland

Stephanie Istvan                  Duke

Cassie McLaughlin               Florida State

Lynnette Moster                   Georgia Tech

Molly Pyles                         North Carolina

Tassy Rufai                         Duke

Valerie Rydberg                   Wake Forest

Lauren Sauer                       Georgia Tech

Valeria Tipiana                  Miami

Rachel Wagener                  Maryland