University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Morgan State
Tiger Volleyball Cruises to Shutout of Morgan State
Sep 25, 2004 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 25, 2004
GREENSBORO, NC - Memphis posted a season-high .364 hitting percentage and extended its season-long win streak to seven matches with a sweep of Morgan State (30-11, 30-21, 30-22), Saturday morning at the UNC-Greensboro Tournament. Memphis (14-4) got a double-double (12 kills, 11 digs) from senior outside hitter Tiara Gilkey, while Heather Watts put up a match-high 40 assists.
Memphis picked up where it left off the previous night, proving to be too strong for MSU, crushing the Bears 30-11 in the first set. The Tiger hit .500 in the first frame, with 15 kills and just one error in 28 total attacks. Fehi Tuivai capped a 6-0 Tiger run that put the U of M ahead 13-5 midway through the game. Memphis then scored eight of the next nine points to take an insurrmountable 21-6 lead.
The Bears battled hard in the next game until the Tigers gained a 17-16 advantage on a service ace by Gilkey. Memphis never looked back and ended the match on a 17-5 run to claim a 30-21 victory.
Game three saw Memphis put the match away as they used a pair of service aces by Melissa Nance and Jennie Toronto to take a 27-17 lead late in the game.
Gilkey was the lone Tiger with double-digits in kills or digs as Memphis dominated play throughout the match. However, Nance downed eight kills and Tuivai added seven. Nancy Nellans and freshmen Shelby Burton and Ashley Liford all put down five kills each.
The Memphis defense was strong, with eight blocks and 47 digs in three games. The Tigers held Morgan State to a .087 hitting percentage. Tuivai had a pair of solo blocks and three block assists, while Christen Clayton dug nine attacks.
The Tigers return to the court in their final match of the tournament when they take on the host UNC-Greensboro Spartans at 2:30 p.m.
