The University of Memphis volleyball team rallied to defeat Ole Miss 3-2 Monday night before a crowd of 123 fans at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
With the win, the Lady Tigers remain undefeated with a record of 8-0, their best start in school history.
After losing the first two games, the Lady Tigers came back to win the final three games.
“I think they showed a lot of character and determination by winning the last three straight,” head coach Carrie Yerty said.
The first three games remained close, with neither team taking on a dominant role.
“We did struggle the first two games defensively,” said senior setter Amie Hamilton.
The Lady Rebels (2-6) squeezed by the Lady Tigers 30-24 and 30-27 during those two games. The U of M took the third game 31-29.
However, it was not until the fourth game that the Lady Tigers took control. The U of M squad seemed unstoppable, playing so aggressively that at one point the team scored a point by returning an Ole Miss kill off a player’s face.
The Rebels, though, would keep it close as they attempted to take the fifth game and the match trailing the Lady Tigers 13-12. On the next play, with the Tigers serving, Hamilton faked out the Lady Rebels by lobbing the ball over the net instead of her usual set for the kill. The Lady Tigers then finished off the Rebs 15-12.
The U of M win made the all-time series with Ole Miss 32-31. Memphis last beat the Lady Rebels in 1998.
“It’s not that they (Ole Miss) are that good,” Hamilton said. “They’re our rival.”
Senior outside hitter Adrianne Edmonds led the Tigers offensively with 29 kills while also recording 13 digs.
Emily Eichmann, senior right side hitter, had 12 kills, 10 digs and four service aces.
Hamilton recorded 15 digs, 68 assists and four service aces. Sophomore outside hitter Brittany Barnett also contributed defensively with 13 digs.
“Shella Neba was really consistent in the middle,” Yerty said. “She did a great job.”
Neba had 11 kills in the match.
Leading Ole Miss was senior outside hitter Jaime Burns with 25 kills and 16 digs. Elena Garcia added 10 kills and 18 digs.
According to Yerty and Hamilton, the win was definitely a team effort.
“Overall our whole team contributed,” Yerty said. “Because of their chemistry and teamwork, they stayed focused and came out ready to play some volleyball.”
The Lady Tigers next take on Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. on Thursday and UAB on Friday. They host Houston on Sunday.
