University of Memphis Volleyball (2-4) will travel to Ruston, Louisiana this weekend for the Lady Techster Invitational hosted by Louisiana Tech. The Tigers will look to improve their record after earing their first two wins in a 2-1 weekend at the University of Central Arkansas Invitational.
Look at the opponents:
The Tigers have a good chance to improve their record as the teams they are playing have a combined 3-15 record.
Sam Houston State is 1-6 this season. Their loss against VCU this season is the only match that lasted more than three sets. In their win against Louisiana-Monroe, the Bearkats played strong defense with only 4 blocking errors and 46 digs in three sets.
Louisiana Tech is 1-5 this season and had a tournament in Beaumont, Texas cancelled due to the damage from Hurricane Harvey. They played Mississippi State on the road in a three-set loss on Labor Day. They have 54 blocks in five matches this season, while opponents have 44.
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is 1-6 this season after going 0-3 at the Redhawk Invitaional last weekend in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Defensively, the Pine Bluff is keeping pace with opponents, but they have struggled to attack consistently. They are averaging more than two less kills and assists per set than opponents.
Brianna Kadiku jumps for the ball in the loss to Bradley. She is third on the team with 44 kills.
Areas of Improvement
Memphis needs to clean up their game to win matches this weekend. In their four losses, the Tigers have an average more than 35 errors per match. In the Tigers’ two wins, they only made 15 and 13 attacking errors, but in three of their four losses, they made at least 25 attacking errors.
Three of the Tigers’ six matches this season have lasted more than three sets. In those matches, the Tigers have not been able to win the fourth or fifth sets. The Tigers will have to play consistently throughout matches this weekend that extend past three sets.
Players to watch:
Memphis right side hitter Hannah Flowers:
Flowers, a freshman, has already started to impress for the Tigers this season. In the 22 sets she has played, she has scored 72 points. If Flowers continues to put up big numbers, the Tigers could see some wins this weekend.
Sam Houston State’s outside hitter Brooke White:
White has been a consistent force for the Bearkats this season. In four of Sam Houston State’s matches she has scored at least 10 points. In the Bearkats win against ULM, White led the                                                                                        team with 16 kills.
Louisiana Tech’s Opposite Carter Mirich:
The freshman has played well for the Lady Techsters this season. She has has 27 digs this season, the fifth most on the team.  She is also fifth points on the team with 29. She could cause major problems for the Tigers’ offense and defense.
Arkansas Pine Bluff’s outside hitter Kendalle Howard:
In five of the Lion’s seven matches, Howard has scored six points or more and has five or more kills. In the win against Central Baptist, she had eight kills, which resulted in eight points. The Tigers will have to step up their defense and watch Howard.
Hannah Flowers and Brianna Kadiku jump to attempt to block the ball against Eastern Illinois. The Tigers have 47.5 blocks this season.
