Head coach Carrie Yerty’s prediction Monday that her team would tally two wins Tuesday during The University of Memphis Tri-Match at Elma Roane Fieldhouse proved accurate.
The Tigers swept Jackson State, 3-0, Tuesday afternoon before beating Murray State, 3-1, to improve to 17-5 overall. The win against Jackson State ended Memphis’ two-game losing skid.
“I am glad that we were able to snap our losing streak and that we were able to finish up our long homestand on a positive note,” Yerty said in a press release.
Memphis, which returns to Conference USA play Friday with a road match against Marquette, finished its seven-match homestand with a 5-2 record. With Tuesday’s wins, the Tigers also remained undefeated in non-conference play.
“We are going to have to focus and be ready to play this weekend when we head out on the road,” Yerty said. “I am just so proud of what this team has been able to accomplish this season.”
In its first game, Memphis overpowered JSU by scores of 30-17, 30-12 and 30-10 as the Tigers recorded a season-high 18 aces in the win. Senior Adrianne Edmonds led the way with six aces while fellow seniors Amie Hamilton and Emily Eichmann had four each. In fact, each Tiger to serve in the match recorded an ace.
Senior outside hitter Ginger Garrett led Memphis with 13 kills and a lofty .524 hitting percentage. Sophomore Shella Neba followed Garrett with eight kills while junior Brooke Chrisman, Eichmann, sophomore Brittany Barnett and freshman Tiara Gilkey each recorded seven. Gilkey also led the team in blocks with four.
For the game, Memphis outhit JSU .400 to -0.11. Jackson State had just 16 kills while posting 17 errors in 88 attempts.
Against Murray State, the Tigers overcame a 20-30 loss in the second game to beat MSU, 3-1. Memphis won the first game 30-17, before losing the second. However, the Tigers stormed back, winning the match by scores of 30-28 and 30-24 in Games 3 and 4.
Edmonds’ all-around performance — 21 kills, two aces, a .263 hitting mark, five assisted blocks and seven digs — paced Memphis.
Hamilton also played admirably, recording 54 assists and 21 digs.
Kim Cappa, one of five Racers to record double digits in kills, led MSU in hitting with 28 kills and a .417 hitting percentage.
In Tuesday’s other game, Murray State swept Jackson State, 3-0.
After this Friday’s C-USA tilt on the road against Marquette, Memphis, which currently ranks ninth in the conference, will travel to play DePaul on Saturday.
The Tigers, who must remain ranked among the top 12 teams in order to play in the C-USA Tournament in November, have just six conference games remaining on the schedule.
