Tigers Volleyball Heads To UAB This Weekend

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After beginning the 2016 campaign with two-consecutive home tournaments, the University of Memphis volleyball team is playing a second-straight weekend on the road. This time, the Tigers travel to Birmingham, Ala., to compete in UAB's second-annual Fight Like Hal Tournament Friday and Saturday, Sept. 16-17.

Joining Memphis and UAB in the four-team field are Louisiana and UT Martin. The Tigers begin action against the Ragin' Cajuns Friday, Sept. 16 at 12:30 p.m. (CT) and also faces host UAB at 7 p.m. (CT) Friday night. Memphis wraps up play against the Skyhawks Saturday, Sept. 17 at 11 a.m. (CT).

For Tigers fans, the Memphis-UAB longtime series is one that began as a regional rivalry, and later, the rivalry took on more importance as both schools became league foes in both the Great Midwest Conference and Conference USA.

Tigers head coach April Jauregui has played and coached against UAB in her career, but none of the current roster has either played the Blazers or traveled to Birmingham. The last meeting between the two programs came in the final season of C-USA in 2012.

"None of our kids have played at UAB since we switched leagues, so it will be new for them," said Jauregui. "I have a lot of respect for (UAB Coach) Kerry (Messersmith), and the tournament, Fight Like Hal, is named for her husband who lost his battle with colon cancer a few years ago."

Hal Messersmith was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic colon cancer in January of 2011 and passed away in July of 2013.

This weekend's tournament also is the final pre-conference tune-up for Memphis, which opens its 2016 American Athletic Conference schedule Sept. 23-25 at UCF and USF.

"The four setbacks we suffered so far were ones we knew were going to be challenges," Jauregui said. "What we've done is look at those four matches and see where we need to get better. Those matches were similar to what we will see in conference play."

For the third week in a row, senior Michaella Moss is expected to play at libero, and sophomore Mady Ruhlman in a defensive specialist role. The moves shored up the Memphis defense, but Jauregui now wants to turn that defense into offense.

"Michaella and Mady both have adapted well to the changes we made," said Jauregui. "With those moves, we're picking up more quality digs. What we are looking at now is converting those quality digs into offense."

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Players Mentioned

Michaella Moss

Mady Ruhlman

University of Memphis Athletics