Rifle Preview: Akron

Sunday, January 20

Lexington, Ky.

All Day

University of Memphis

Akron

Photo by: Trey Clark

Jan 19, 2019 | Rifle

Tigers face the Zips in a neutral-site match in Lexington, Ky.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After more than 60 days off from competition for final exams and the semester break, the University of Memphis rifle squad returns to action Sunday, Jan. 20 with a neutral-site match versus Akron. The Great America Rifle Conference (GARC) match starts at 8 a.m. (CT) at the University of Kentucky Rifle Range in Lexington, Ky.

Memphis ended the 2018 portion of its schedule with several solid performances and climbed as high as No. 4 in the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) poll. Although they have not competed since Nov. 18, the Tigers have moved down a little in the poll due to other teams that have already had matches in 2019. Memphis is No. 9 in this week's CRCA poll, and Akron is No. 14.

The Tigers did shoot since their last collegiate match Nov. 18. The Memphis squad traveled to Colorado Springs, Colo., in early December for the USA Airgun Championships.

Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) Poll

Rank	Team	Rank	Team
1.	TCU	11.	Jacksonville State
2.	West Virginia	12.	Ohio State
3.	Kentucky	13.	NC State
4.	Air Force	14.	Akron
t.	Murray State	15.	Morehead State
6.	Alaska Fairbanks	16.	Army
7.	Ole Miss	17.	Nevada
8.	Navy	18.	UTEP
9.	*Memphis*	19.	North Georgia
10.	Nebraska	20.	UT Martin

Head coach Dan Hermsmeier comments
(On the long break from competition)
"We've been training really hard the past two weeks after taking a decent break over the holidays. I told them I wanted them to take some time off, especially mentally, to give themselves a break. A lot of them wanted to keep practicing on their own, and I encouraged that. I told them to shoot a little bit if they had the opportunity, but definitely take some days off because it's going to be a long semester of competition ahead with the postseason approaching.

"We're in a really good spot (for the postseason), and they are aware of that. We're trying to manage our success from last semester and keep it going into this semester and not allow the postseason to get to us mentally."

(On carrying over last semester's strong finish)
"Heading into this semester of competition, we're focusing on the mental side for three reasons. First, so we don't get burned out. Second, so we keep up our intensity in the range. And finally, to manage the expectations we have for ourselves and not get too caught up in it. We're trying to not focus only on the postseason, but what it takes to get there."

(On this Sunday's match)
"It will be a good match for us. Akron is a good team, and it will be a really good test for us, especially our first match back being away from home. We have two more away matches to test ourselves before we head into the postseason with the conference championships and sectionals."

(On the USA Airgun Championships in early December)
"That was a great trip for us. We had every member of the team travel to Colorado Springs for the match. We had the opportunity to test our air rifles and get some maintenance done on them. Getting to shoot in those matches against some of the best shooters in the country helped us improve and become better shooters. It also helped them prepare for the stress of the postseason for the NCAA selection match and hopefully the NCAA Championships, where you once again shoot against the best in the country."

Tigers Tidbits

The last time the Tigers shot they set a couple of school record in winning the Gamecock Invitational at Jacksonville State Nov. 18. Memphis set school marks for team aggregate (4689) and team smallbore score (2332).
Memphis defeated four ranked opponents to win the Gamecock Invitational.
Freshman Arielle Kimm shattered her previous-best aggregate with her 1171 in the Gamecock Invitational.
Senior Leighton Dempster brings a streak of three-straight aggregate scores of 1170 or higher into Sunday's match. She shot a career-high 1179 versus NC State Oct. 27.
Freshman David Crenshaw and sophomore Matt Dorey had career-best performances in the Tigers' last match. Crenshaw shot a career-high air rifle score (585), and Dorey posted a career-best smallbore result (585).
For a second-straight season, Memphis is competing in Lexington, Ky. Last year, the Tigers faced Kentucky.
Two Tigers should enjoy the return trip to Lexington after last season's match. Sophomore Adriana Hickerson tied her career-best air rifle score (593), and junior Amberlie Ezell also tied her career-high air rifle mark (589).
In 2017-18, Memphis hosted Akron at the R.F. Fogelman Rifle Range. The Zips won the match and hold a 4-3 edge in the last seven meetings with the Tigers.