Volleyball Preview: Memphis Invitational

Friday, August 24

Memphis, Tenn.

7 pm

University of Memphis

Stephen F. Austin

Aug 23, 2018 | Women's Volleyball

Tigers host annual two-day tournament this weekend.

2018 Memphis Invitational Live Stats/Live Stream

MEMPHIS, Tenn.– It's here!

The University of Memphis volleyball team starts its 2018 campaign this weekend. The Tigers open the season hosting its own Memphis Invitational Friday-Saturday, Aug. 24-25 at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. Memphis welcomes Arkansas-Pine-Bluff, Arkansas State and Stephen F. Austin to the Bluff City for the two-day tournament that features six matches. Admission for all matches is free.

Not only is this weekend Memphis' season opener, but it's also the Tigers' debut under first-year head coach Sean Burdette. Burdette took over the program in January after a successful four-year run at Green Bay from 2014-17.

Memphis Invitational Schedule

Date/Day	Match	Time (CT)
Aug. 24/Friday	Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Arkansas State	4 pm
	Stephen F. Austin vs. Memphis	7 pm
Aug. 25/Saturday	Stephen F. Austin vs. Arkansas State	10 am
	Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Memphis	12:30 pm
	Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Stephen F. Austin	4:30 pm
	Arkansas State vs. Memphis	7 pm

Memphis/Opponents Breakdown

	Memphis	UAPB	Arkansas State	Stephen F. Austin
2017 Record/Conf	10-22/3-17 AAC	12-19/11-7 SWAC	*21-12/12-4 SBC	*26-8/14-2 SLC
# Returnees	7	7	8	11
Ret. Kills Leader	Hannah Flowers, 257	Kendalle Howard, 203	Carlisa May, 507	Haley Coleman, 313
Ret. Assists Leader	Kate Hoerdemann, 26	Britney Sahlmann, 773	Kenzie Fields, 269	Ann Hollas, 955
Ret. Digs Leader	Kate Hoerdemann, 254	Kendalle Howard, 212	Tatum Ticknor, 596	Haley Coleman, 316
Ret. Blocks Leader	Sarah Marlatt, 72	Kendalle Howard, 28	Timber Terrell, 74	Makenzee Hanna, 116

*played in the 2017 postseason (both in NIVC)

Head coach Sean Burdette comments
(On being the head coach since January)
"It seems like only a couple of days ago. I need more time (laughing). No, it's been great. My family moved down here in April, and my kids got adjusted to their schools. The team's been awesome in accepting new roles, new responsibilities and really grinding it out."

(On building the program)
"Memphis is a similar situation I faced at Green Bay, and we're taking similar steps. It's a work in progress. The best thing I like about our team is they are open-minded and coming to work every day. They're blue collar."

(On the team's progress through preseason camp)
"One of the neat things to see with this team is the integration between our returning players and the newcomers. And, our newcomers aren't just freshmen. We have transfers and international players. The returners are welcoming them in and helping them get acclimated. It's been neat to see that process."

(On the Memphis Invitational)
"We talked about building for this weekend. We see the season as a journey. We're breaking the season up into mini-seasons. We have preseason practices. Then, we have four non-conference tournaments. After that, we jump into conference play. From there, you look to build and potentially go to the postseason. We want to take it a step at a time. There is a big vision, but there also are some small pieces to build on each week."

(On the Memphis Invitational)
"It's a strong field. We kick off with Stephen F. Austin, a team that made the postseason last year. They are a strong program. My Green Bay team faced them a couple of years ago, so I'm a little familiar with them. Stephen F. Austin is a team that is going to come out hungry. When you go on the road, you're trying to pick off some wins. We want to establish ourselves, our tempo and who we are and what our program is about."

Tigers Tidbits

For only the second time in the last six seasons, the Tigers open a campaign at home with this weekend's Memphis Invitational. The last time Memphis started a season at home was in 2016 with the Memphis Invitational.
The Tigers have a 10-6 record in their last five Memphis Invitationals. Memphis won the title in 2016.
The Tigers lead the series with Arkansas-Pine Bluff 4-0 and are tied 28-all in the series with Arkansas State. Stephen F. Austin leads the series with Memphis 5-1.
Head coach Sean Burdette is not the only new face on the Memphis sideline in 2018. The Tigers welcome a new assistant coach, Alexa Wharton, and eight newcomers, including two transfers and two international players.
Friday's match versus Stephen F. Austin ties for the earliest season opener in Tigers history. Memphis also opened a campaign on Aug. 24 in 2007 and 2012. The 2012 opener was played at home, tying Friday's match as the earliest home opener in program history.
Friday's match versus the Ladyjacks could be called a Southlake Carroll High School homecoming as three players prepped there. Memphis' Kelsey Walter played at Southlake Carroll from 2011-14. Stephen F. Austin senior McKenzie Brewer also played at Southlake Carroll from 2011-14, and freshman Sabrina Monaco starred there from 2014-17.