Tigers Make Mighty Comeback to Defeat South Florida

Friday, October 22

Memphis, Tenn.

6 P.M.

University of Memphis

9-12,2-7AAC

South Florida

6-14,0-9AAC

South Fla.

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Tigers Make Mighty Comeback to Defeat South Florida

Oct 22, 2021 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn.– After a taking a quick 2-0 lead in the match, Memphis would struggle to stop the offense of South Florida in the third and fourth sets. But, the Tigers would make an ultimate comeback late in the fifth set to take the 3-2 win.

Memphis 3, South Florida 2
25-22, 25-23, 16-25, 21-25,16-14

Set 1
·       A close one to start, Memphis took their largest lead of the set off back-to-back kills from Sabrina Bianco and Miaya Smith at 20-17.
·       South Florida would fight back and, with a kill and service ace from Marta Cvitkovic and Tizi Puljiz, respectively, would force the Tigers to call a timeout with a 23-21 lead.
·       Memphis would get the 25-22 set one win after a kill from Tabytha Toelke and an error from the Bulls.

Set 2
·       The second set started out much like the first with both teams trading points.
·       Memphis would get a small lead after South Florida committed consecutive errors to give the tigers an 18-15 advantage.
·       USF would make a comeback and take their first lead of the match at 22-20 after six straight points from Tizi Puljiz and Ally Barnhart.
·       The Tigers would rally back from a deficit to take a 25-23 set two win off three consecutive kills from Gigi Crescenzo.

Set 3
·       South Florida would control the tempo of set three from the first serve.
·       The Bulls had as much as an eight point advantage before taking the 25-16 win.

Set 4
·       After playing close to start the set, South Florida would go on a 6-0 run to gain an 18-12 lead.
·       The Tigers would get right back into the set with back-to-back kills from Orf and Autumn Hamilton to cut their deficit to 18-15.
·       The Bulls would hold their lead through the set and tie the match at 2-2 with a 25-21.

Set 5
·       Memphis came out swinging in the final set; the Tigers scored eight of the last nine points of the set to take the 16-14 set five win.
·       After looking at a 13-8 deficit, errors committed by the Bulls and two final kills from Smith and Bianco would give the Tigers the 3-2 match win.

NOTABLES
·       Tonight's win breaks a six-game losing streak for Memphis.
·       Elizabeth Orf led the team with 11 kills on 20 attempts for a .450 hitting percentage while Miaya Smith and Gigi Crescenzoboth added in 10 kills.
·       Sabrina Bianco led all players with 42 assists while Bianco and Tabytha Toelke picked up 12 digs each.

UP NEXT
·       Memphis will continue their homestand on Sunday when they welcome the Knight of UCF to town. First serve is set for 12 p.m.
·       The Tigers be back in the Larry O. Finch Center on Oct. 29 and 31 against East Carolina and Cincinnati, respectively. The UCF and East Carolina matches will be available to watch on ESPN+.

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.