University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
1-2
Alabama
3-0
Tigers Fall in Five-Set Thriller to Alabama
Aug 30, 2014 | Women's Volleyball
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Memphis volleyball team concluded play at the Marcia E. Hamilton Classic on Saturday afternoon with a five-set loss to Alabama at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis. The Tigers (1-2) claimed the third-set with Alabama (3-0) taking sets one, two and four.
Freshman Kate Gibson led the Blue and Gray with a double-double, including 17 kills and 11 digs. Junior Veronica Zimmerman also recorded a double-double for the third-consecutive match with 33 assists and 10 digs.
"We grew up this weekend," Memphis head coach April Jauregui said following the match. "We really started to find our identity as a team. We were three points away from beating a top-40 team. Our team showed tremendous fight and heart. This would've been a great win for our team, but I am pleased with the steps we took today."
For the third-consecutive match, Memphis was unable to claim the opening set. Neither side was unable to mount a run through the first 20 points, with a 10-10 score through the early goings. Alabama would then roll on a 6-2 run before closing out the frame, 25-20.
The Tigers were plagued in the second-set as Alabama jumped out to a 19-9 edge. Memphis would respond, however, as the Blue and Gray cut the deficit to 22-19 before the Crimson Tide finished off the set, 25-20.
Needing to turn the tide, Memphis opened the third-set on a 6-0 run and held off a furious Alabama rally late to secure the third-set, 25-23. The fourth set saw a strong start from the Tigers, with a 7-3 run. Memphis kept riding the wave to a 21-13 lead and closed out the set, 25-17 to force a decisive fifth-set.
In the final set, Alabama moved ahead 8-3, but a 5-2 run by the Tigers narrowed the score to 10-8. After several tense moments with the Crimson Tide leading 14-10, Memphis would narrow the gap to two, but was unable to complete the comeback, 15-12.
Senior Aleksandra Petronijevic narrowly missed recording a double-double with 24 digs and eight assists. Junior Alexis Wesely also logged seven blocks in the loss.
The Tigers will be in action again on Friday when they host the Memphis Invitational and Ole Miss at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. Visit GoTigersGo.com and follow @MemphisVolley on Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date with the program.
