Tigers Volleyball Wins Season Opener Friday

Friday, August 26

Memphis, Tenn.

12 pm

University of Memphis

1-0

Chicago State

0-1

Chicago State

Memphis

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Aug 26, 2016 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Memphis 3, Chicago State 0

Seniors pace Memphis to 3-0 victory.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The 2016 Set To Roar campaign began with a somewhat slow start, but the University of Memphis volleyball squad found its rhythm late as it posted a 3-0 win over Chicago State in the Tigers season opener Friday afternoon.

Memphis defeated the Cougars by scores of 25-14, 25-19 and 25-13. The season opener was a part of the 2016 Memphis Invitational at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse this weekend. The Tigers return to action for their second game of the tournament Friday at 7 p.m. (CT) against Central Arkansas.

In the match prior to Memphis-Chicago State, Belmont had a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Central Arkansas.

Tigers senior McKenzie Hayes had a match-best 13 kills. Fellow seniors Summer Morgan and Catlin Lilly added eight and seven kills, respectively. Regan Comperry had a match-high 32 assists and six digs, and Mady Ruhlman posted 10 digs.

In all three sets, the visitors from Chicago hung around with the Tigers. Memphis, though, put together runs in the latter half of each set for a 3-0 sweep.

"A win is a win," said Tigers head coach April Jauregui. "In the first match of the season, you always have some jitters, and today was no different. I've been doing this for 15 years, and it's the same for every season's first match.

"Our team got in a rhythm as the match moved on. We were able to get a lot of different players in to get some looks. We know we're going to need a deep roster to have a lot of success this season."

Memphis fell behind early and held a narrow 12-10 lead midway through the opening set, but used a 13-4 run to take the first set 25-14. Hayes had two of her four first-set kills in the run, and freshman Tai Bierria added two kills late.

The second set saw the Cougars give Memphis a tougher battle. Chicago State stayed within striking distance most of the set and held a 17-16 advantage. The Tigers, however, answered the call again, closing the second set with a 9-2 spurt for a 25-19 win. Hayes, Lilly and Morgan each recorded a kill in the second-set run.

"It was nice to see all four seniors contribute today," said Jauregui. "We've said the seniors are the backbone of this team, and where they go, this team will go."

Memphis jumped out to an early 8-3 lead in the third set and never trailed. Chicago State pulled to within two at 13-11, but the Tigers ended the match with a 12-2 run for a 25-13 third-set victory. Freshman Addison Root posted all four of her kills in the Tigers' final spurt.