University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Southern Miss
Southern Miss Blocks Memphis, 3-0
Oct 30, 2009 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 30, 2009
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -
Southern Miss (22-4, 10-2 C-USA) 25 25 25 Memphis (5-22; 1-11 C-USA) 18 22 14
Freshman Altrese Hawkins hit .571 with a match-high 13 kills, but Southern Miss held Memphis to a .161 attack percentage for the match and made 10 total blocks to hand the Tigers a 3-0 loss at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse Friday evening.
The loss was the sixth-straight C-USA setback for Memphis, who falls to 5-22 overall and 1-11 in league play. Southern Miss, who is currently first in the league standings, improves to 22-4 and 10-2 in the conference.
USM posted 18 block assists and one solo rejection in the contest. Four Golden Eagle's blocker made at least three total blocks on the night.
The Southern Miss offense was also successful, striking for eight service aces and a .270 attack percentage on 44 kills. Ashley Mell led the Golden Eagles with a double-double of 12 kills and 13 digs. Caitlin Clark downed 10 kills. Setter Kelsea Seymour handed out a match-best 38 assists. USM converted on 73 percent of its side-out opportunities for the match.
Memphis struggled out of the gates, hitting .050 in the first set. The Tigers regrouped to hit .343 in the second but fell just short in a 25-22 decision. They hit .108 in the finale.
Behind Hawkins' 13 kills, Marija Jovanovic finished the night with eight terminations, while Carolyn Baker hit .357 with six kills. Setter Christine Bach dished out 31 assists and made nine digs. Libero Becky Shaffer led all performers with 16 digs.
Memphis will return to the court for the home finale on Sun., Nov.1 when it hosts UCF at 1 p.m. The Tigers will honor the 2009 senior class in a pre-match ceremony.
