The University of Memphis volleyball team will be looking to improve its record to 17-5 today when the Tigers host two non-conference matches at Elma Roane Fieldhouse against Jackson State and Murray State as part of the U of M Tri-Match.
“We’ll get two wins, and go into the weekend 17-5,” head coach Carrie Yerty predicted Monday. “Against Jackson State, we will play our younger lineup, but against Murray State, we will go back to our more veteran lineup.”
Yerty said Memphis (15-5, 5-5 in Conference USA), which is coming off two conference losses this weekend to Louisville and Cincinnati, must rebound from the weekend and play consistently.
“We have to execute our gameplan and play consistently to 30 points if we’re going to win,” she said.
Lady Tigers Shella Neba, Brooke Chrisman, and Tiara Gilkey, who make up the middle of the court for Memphis, will be key factors in today’s matches, according to their head coach.
“The middles have to help out offensively so that our outsides can open up,” Yerty said.
Yerty said good team chemistry and a tough work ethic have been key to the Tigers’ success so far this season.
“They are the most close-knit group I have ever coached,” Yerty said. “They all went to summer school and worked out voluntarily during the summer, and they also do extra lifting during the week.”
Yerty’s seniors – Emily Eichmann, Adrianne Edmonds, Ginger Garrett and Amie Hamilton – lead the team in almost every statistical category. Yerty said their hard work and maturity are rubbing off on the younger players.
“They are a very composed and mature group of individuals. Each of them contribute greatly and they’re teaching the other girls through example about hard work.
“When our team plays as a cohesive unit, and we have everything working for us, we can be very hard to beat.”
