With peppy cheerleaders and belligerent fans in tow, the University of Memphis volleyball team notched another victory Tuesday night, beating St. Louis at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
The Lady Tigers (11-1, 2-1 in Conference USA) made quick work of the Billikens (3-6, 1-1) in four games before a crowd of 106 fans.
“I think it’s a big step for us to come back and beat a team after our first loss against Houston,” head coach Carrie Yerty said after the game.
The U of M squad trailed St. Louis by a short margin throughout the first game. Down 28-24, the Lady Tigers came back, though, to score six unanswered points, taking the opening game 30-28.
The second game also remained close throughout, with the Lady Tigers taking the win 31-28.
St. Louis won the third game — which was delayed because of a verbal altercation between a Memphis fan and the Lady Billikens’ assistant coach — by a score of 30-25.
However, the U of M squad took the fourth game and the match convincingly by a score of 30-26.
“It was a little rocky at times,” said senior outside hitter Ginger Garrett.
“But we came through at the right times,” freshman setter Heather Watts said. “Overall we were fired up.”
Garrett and Watts were both commended by Yerty for helping lead the Lady Tigers to their second conference win.
“Tonight Ginger Garrett did an awesome job at being a solid, go-to player,” Yerty said. “Heather Watts, every time she came in, we rallied for a big point.”
Garrett led the Lady Tigers with 22 kills and 15 digs. Watts finished the contest with 12 digs.
Also putting up good numbers for The U of M was senior outside hitter Adrianne Edmonds, who tallied 21 kills and 10 digs.
Colleen Hunter led St. Louis with 24 kills and 11 digs.
Next up, the Lady Tigers will face the Billikens again this Friday in St. Louis.
“The key to us beating St. Louis in St. Louis is to stop their middle hitters,” Yerty said.
