University of Memphis Athletics
Friday, October 22
Memphis, Tenn.
6 P.M.
University of Memphis
vs
South Florida
Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
Tigers Open Five-Match Homestand with USF and UCF
Oct 20, 2021 | Women's Volleyball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Tigers (8-12, 1-7) begin a season-long five-match homestand this weekend with matches against the teams at the bottom and top of the American Athletic Conference standings. Friday, the USF Bulls (6-13, 0-8) come to town, while the Tigers host the UCF Knights (14-6, 7-1) Sunday. The matches start at 6 p.m. and 12 p.m. respectively and both matches will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Bulls enter the weekend as the only AAC team without a conference victory. Three of USF's eight conference losses have come in five sets, while they were swept by both UCF and Wichita State. USF ranks last in the conference in hitting percentage (.159) and digs per set (13.18). The Bulls sit third in the American in blocks per set (2.27) and fourth in aces per set (1.51). Freshman Marta Cvitkovic is seventh in the conference with 3.17 kills per set and third in aces per set (0.38).
Memphis and USF have met 31 times since 1988 and the Bulls hold a 20-11 edge in the all-time series. The Tigers won the last matchup between the programs, a four-set victory at home, Nov. 3, 2019, which snapped USF's three-match win streak in the series. USF holds a 6-2 edge since the beginning of 2015.
Sunday, the Tigers welcome the two-time defending AAC champion Knights to Memphis, as UCF sits atop the 2021 conference standings. Last week, UCF swept both USF and Temple on the road, and their only conference loss has been a five-set defeat at home against Houston. The Knights played a loaded non-conference schedule, with victories over Clemson, Miami, and Florida State. UCF tops the league in hitting percentage (.252) and is second in opponent hitting percentage (.190). The Knights lead the American in blocks and aces per set and are second in assists and kills per set. Reigning conference player of the year McKenna Melville has continued her dominant form, as she leads the conference with 4.70 kills per set, nearly a full kill more than anyone else in the league. The Knights have four of the top 20 in the AAC in hitting percentage and five of the top 15 in the conference in service aces per set. Senior Nerissa Moravec paces the conference with 1.42 blocks per set.
The Knights hold a 23-13 edge in the all-time series dating back to 1979, which includes an 11-6 record in Memphis. UCF has won six straight meetings with the Tigers and 12 of the past 13 matchups. Memphis' last victory over UCF was in Orlando, Nov. 20, 2015. The Tigers' last victory over the Knights at home came in 2011.
NOTABLES
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Volleyball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The Bulls enter the weekend as the only AAC team without a conference victory. Three of USF's eight conference losses have come in five sets, while they were swept by both UCF and Wichita State. USF ranks last in the conference in hitting percentage (.159) and digs per set (13.18). The Bulls sit third in the American in blocks per set (2.27) and fourth in aces per set (1.51). Freshman Marta Cvitkovic is seventh in the conference with 3.17 kills per set and third in aces per set (0.38).
Memphis and USF have met 31 times since 1988 and the Bulls hold a 20-11 edge in the all-time series. The Tigers won the last matchup between the programs, a four-set victory at home, Nov. 3, 2019, which snapped USF's three-match win streak in the series. USF holds a 6-2 edge since the beginning of 2015.
Sunday, the Tigers welcome the two-time defending AAC champion Knights to Memphis, as UCF sits atop the 2021 conference standings. Last week, UCF swept both USF and Temple on the road, and their only conference loss has been a five-set defeat at home against Houston. The Knights played a loaded non-conference schedule, with victories over Clemson, Miami, and Florida State. UCF tops the league in hitting percentage (.252) and is second in opponent hitting percentage (.190). The Knights lead the American in blocks and aces per set and are second in assists and kills per set. Reigning conference player of the year McKenna Melville has continued her dominant form, as she leads the conference with 4.70 kills per set, nearly a full kill more than anyone else in the league. The Knights have four of the top 20 in the AAC in hitting percentage and five of the top 15 in the conference in service aces per set. Senior Nerissa Moravec paces the conference with 1.42 blocks per set.
The Knights hold a 23-13 edge in the all-time series dating back to 1979, which includes an 11-6 record in Memphis. UCF has won six straight meetings with the Tigers and 12 of the past 13 matchups. Memphis' last victory over UCF was in Orlando, Nov. 20, 2015. The Tigers' last victory over the Knights at home came in 2011.
NOTABLES
- Memphis has held opponents to a .202 hitting percentage, the fourth best mark in the AAC
- The Tigers are second in the conference with 16.24 digs per set, paced by sophomore Bailey Houlihan, who is second in the AAC with 4.65 digs per set
- Senior Sabrina Bianco continues to lead the league in assists per set (9.99)
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Volleyball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
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