You couldn't have planned it any better.
When The University of Memphis Volleyball Team goes into theirfinal two games this weekend against Southern Miss and Tulane allthree teams will be fighting for a three seed in the Conference USAtournament.
The Lady Tigers have been putting together one of their bestseasons ever.
Memphis currently stands at 27-4 and 8-3 in conference, tiedwith Tulane in the C-USA standings at 8-3, 23-5 overall. SouthernMiss has the upper hand on both teams with a 9-2 record inconference play and 25-5 overall.
Although they're having perhaps their best season, Memphis headcoach Carrie Yerty said that she couldn't single out any particularreason for the success.
"I'm just so excited for our program," Yerty said. "It's hard tosingle out one person when so many records have been broken."
One thing Yerty made clear is that she thinks this squad is oneof the best teams she has ever coached when it comes to cohesionand teamwork.
"Without question this is the best-skilled team, this is thebest-trained team and they have a lot of heart," said Yerty. "We'vehad other players from other teams that have done wonderfully, butthis team has put it all together at the right time."
Several players are in the top of Conference USA in leadingstatistics.
Junior setter Heather Watts is currently second in assists at 13a game. Freshman Hristina Slancheva leads the conference is serviceaces and Brittany Barnett and Tiara Gilkey are both in the top 10in kills.
Barnett has been a big part of the Lady Tigers this season bybecoming only the 13th player in Tiger history to get over 1,000career kills.
The Tigers, who finished 19-15 last season, have a legitimateshot at doing well in the Conference USA tournament because theyare 8-0 on a neutral court.
If they can continue to win, Memphis could be in line for theirfirst NCAA tournament appearance since 1994. The '94 visit was theprograms only career invite to the tournament.
That team finished 27-8 after a first round exit against SanDiego State.
Even after two recent losses to Top-25 teams, their current 27-4record is the best in school history after 31 matches.
