University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Houston
Houston Knocks Off Memphis in Four Sets
Oct 23, 2011 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 23, 2011
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Memphis volleyball team (15-9; 4-7) fell short 3-1 (25-18; 20-25; 25-15; 25-16) to Conference USA foe Houston (16-5; 9-2) on Sunday at the Tigers' annual Dig Pink game at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
Marija Jovanovic led the Tigers in kills with 14, while Altrese Hawkins (13) and Vesna Jelic (12) both recorded double-digit kills and digs, with 11 and 13 respectively. Additionally, Hajnalka Molnar tallied 49 assists bringing her to 998 on the season.
After the Cougars jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the first set, Memphis' Marija Jovanovic kept the Tigers in the hunt with two back-to-back kills to bring the Tigers within 8-6.
The two squads were never separated by more than four points in the set until a ball handling error by Molnar, an ace by Houston's Krysta Deangelis and a kill by Chandace Tryon gave Houston a 20-14 advantage. The Tigers were forced to call a timeout, but the Cougars continued their push were able to close out the first set, 25-18.
The start of the second set was tight before the U of M pulled out 9-5 lead following three straight kills and a ball handling error by Houston. Memphis quickly widened the gap to 19-10 with an offensive charge led by Altrese Hawkins, who finished the set with seven kills.
The back-and-forth battle continued to open the critical third set with four lead changes between the teams. The Tigers found themselves up 12-11, but would be plagued by errors in the remainder of the set, including five service errors, ultimately falling 25-15.
The game concluded in the fourth set with a powerful run by the Cougars, as Katie Norris and Stephanie Nwachukwu each had four kills in the set. Cailtlin Ogletree contributed 12 assists as the Cougars took control of the set early and closed it out 25-16.
Houston was led by four players with 10 or more kills. The Cougars also recorded 9.5 team blocks, while Memphis finished with zero. Ogletree finished with 42 assists, while Natalie Keck (14) and Ingrida Zauere (13) finished with double-digit digs.
Up next for the Tigers' is a two-game stint on the road beginning with a contest at Tulsa on Friday, Oct. 28. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
