Tigers Volleyball On Road At Temple, Connecticut

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – It's good having momentum heading down the stretch run, and the University of Memphis volleyball team has that as it opens the second half of its American Athletic Conference schedule this weekend.

The Tigers, winners of three-straight matches, goes on the road with encounters at Temple and Connecticut Friday and Sunday, respectively. Memphis first travels to Philadelphia, Pa., to meet the Owls Friday, Oct. 28 and then moves on to Storrs, Conn., to face the Huskies Sunday, Oct. 30. Match times are 6 p.m. (CT) Friday and 11 a.m. (CT) Sunday.

Since joining The American, Memphis has made runs down the stretch of the conference slate. Two seasons ago, the Tigers won four of their final six conference matches to finish fifth in the league. And, in 2015, Memphis posted victories in five of its final six league matches to place in a tie for fourth in The American.

So, head coach April Jauregui and her squad – now brimming with confidence – are primed for another strong second-half push in 2016.

"Last weekend was a good way to end the first half of our conference schedule with two wins," Jauregui said. "I believe our players now have confidence they can carry over into the last half of the league schedule.

"We had two five-set losses a couple of weeks ago, and they just needed to get over that hump of feeling success and knowing we can pull out those matches."

The Tigers have pulled out their last three matches, including a marathon five-set 3-2 win over Tulane Oct. 23. Memphis also defeated Tulsa 3-1 and Houston 3-0 in the three-match win streak.

For her efforts in the wins over Houston and Tulane, senior Catlin Lilly was named to The American's Weekly Honor Roll, and Jauregui believes Lilly's elevated play, along with that of her senior teammates, has given the Tigers the boost they need.

"She's (Lilly) been playing really, really well," said Jauregui. "Her play has been a key for us lately. She is the glue, the fire, the energy we need.

"If she's doing that along with the other seniors doing their jobs, then all the other players can fill in their roles we've ask them to play. I'm really pleased with her play, and we also had some other outstanding performances lately."

Now, after a four-game homestand, Memphis heads back on the road to play two league foes it is already familiar with in Temple and Connecticut. The Tigers dropped decisions to both the Huskies 3-0 and Owls 3-2 earlier this month.

"Winning three straight has given the team a renewed sense of energy," Jauregui said. "We're playing two teams this weekend that also are looking to win and keep pace in the league, so it should be intense.

"Temple is in contention at the top of the conference. Temple is a hard team to play on the road. They get a big crowd there, and it makes for a loud, vocal environment. It should be an exciting match. UConn is a team that started off really strong, but the Huskies have dropped some matches of late. They've been playing a lot of tough five-setters. Maybe the road battles have bit them a little."

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Players Mentioned

Catlin Lilly

University of Memphis Athletics