Tigers Volleyball Hosts Matches On Final Weekend Of Season

Friday, November 25

Memphis, Tenn.

2 pm

University of Memphis

Cincinnati

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Tigers Volleyball Hosts Matches On Final Weekend Of Season

Nov 24, 2016 | Women's Volleyball

Senior Day ceremonies to be held prior to Saturday's match.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – It's a special day of each and every season. It's also one of the toughest days of each and every season.

The University of Memphis volleyball team – as all athletics programs across the nation also do – celebrates its Senior Day this weekend as the Tigers wrap up their 2016 campaign.

Unlike previous conference weekends, Memphis plays back-to-back days Friday and Saturday this week. The Tigers host Cincinnati Friday, Nov. 25 and East Carolina Saturday, Nov. 26. Both matches are slated for 2 p.m. (CT) starts at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. Admission is free.

Minutes prior to the start of Saturday's match, the Tigers seniors will be honored for their hard work and dedication to the program the past four years. The four seniors are McKenzie Hayes, Catlin Lilly, Summer Morgan and Michaella Moss. The team's four-year manager, Allie McNamara, also will be honored in the pre-match ceremonies.

"We have our four seniors and our manager, Allie, who we'll be recognizing before Saturday's match," said head coach April Jauregui. "Senior Day is a special moment. It's also a sad time, but as we learn, when one chapter closes, another one begins.

"All four players have been big contributors to our program. After Saturday's match, we'll have our team banquet and honor the four seniors again. It is a chance for the seniors and their families to enjoy that moment together."

But, in the midst of all the Senior Day festivities, the Tigers have two matches to play against Cincinnati and East Carolina. Memphis dropped decision to both American Athletic Conference foes earlier this season. The Tigers fell in a 3-2 heart-breaker at East Carolina Oct. 7 and lost 3-0 at Cincinnati Oct. 9.

"Cincinnati is still in the running for the conference title, as the Bearcats are only one game behind league leader SMU," said Jauregui. "Cincinnati is a strong squad and has played well all season. We'll have our hands full with the Bearcats' efficient offense.

"We always seem to play tight matches with East Carolina, and this season's earlier encounter was no different. We have to be prepared to go the distance with the Pirates on Saturday."

The Tigers are coming off a strong performance last weekend in its 3-2 come-from-behind win at Tulsa Nov. 18. Memphis closed last weekend's road trip with a 3-0 setback to league leader SMU Nov. 20. Jauregui hopes the Tigers can build off last week's positives and make it a great ending to 2016 this weekend.

"I was pleased with the way we played last Friday (at Tulsa)," said Jauregui. "Then, on Sunday, we faced the top team (SMU) in the league on its Senior Day. We put some good stretches together in that match, but they are a strong team.

"We had a great and fun Senior Day last year, and we want to have the same this weekend. It's the last match of the year, and all the teams are going to lay it all out on the court. You want your seniors to have their best matches of the season this week. They are ready, and I believe we're going to have two good matches."