Memphis’ Late Comeback Not Enough to Take Down South Florida

Saturday, November 13

Tampa, Fla.

12 P.M.

University of Memphis

12-16,5-11AAC

South Florida

7-20,1-15AAC

Memphis

South Fla.

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Memphis’ Late Comeback Not Enough to Take Down South Florida

Nov 13, 2021 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. – Looking to get back in the win column following their loss to UCF on Thursday night, the Tigers (12-16, 5-11 AAC) made their way to Tampa to take on the Bulls of South Florida. While Memphis made a comeback in the third set, the offense of South Florida could not be stopped as they handed Memphis the 3-1 match loss.

Memphis 1, South Florida 3
25-27, 17-25, 25-23, 23-25

Set 1
·       The Tigers found themselves down by as much as seven after South Florida opened the set on an 11-4 run.
·       Memphis would chip away at the Bulls lead and eventually take the 24-23 lead after Autumn Hamilton put down her fourth kill of the set.
·       South Florida would get back-to-back kills from Marta Cvitkvovic and Amanda DeWitt to take the 27-25 set one win.

Set 2
·       Memphis' offense started out hot, holding control of the lead through their first nine points off kills from Hamilton and Tabytha Toelke and a solo block from Miaya Smith.
·       After tying the set at 9-9, South Florida would go on a 10-2 run to take the 19-11 lead.
·       While the Tigers would get kills from Smith and Gigi Crescenzo, as well as a service ace from Sarah Smith, Memphis would not be able to recover and fall behind 2-0 in the match after South Florida took the 25-17 set two win.

Set 3
·       Memphis came out swinging in the third set, regaining their earlier lead after kills from Kate Bass and Elizabeth Orf to go up 12-11.
·       South Florida made a comeback, tying the set for the eighth time after a kill from Cvitkovic.
·       But, the Tigers would get big blocks from Biano, Orf and Hamilton as well as a combined seven kills from Hamilton, Crescenzo, Bianco and Smith force a fourth set after a 25-23 win.

Set 4
·       Memphis and South Florida would trade points with each other through the entire set, neither team getting more than two points ahead of the other.
·       Toelke would tie the set at 23-23 on her 10^th kill of the match, but the Bulls would put down back-to-back balls from Ragan Kinard to take the 25-23 set win and the 3-1 match win.

NOTABLES
·       Autumn Hamilton had a career day with a team best 16 kills while Gigi Crescenzo added in 14 and Tabytha Toelke chipped in 10 kills and picked up 19 digs for her 7^th double-double this season.
·       Bailey Houlihan led all players with 24 digs while Sabrina Bianco picked up 18 while dishing out a team-high 45 assists. This is her 11^th match this season handing out 40 or more assists.

UP NEXT
·       Memphis will return home for their final two matches in the Larry O. Finch Center this season against Houston and Tulane on Friday night and Sunday afternoon. First serve against Houston is set for 6 p.m. while first serve for Tulane is scheduled for 1 p.m.
·       Stats for both matches can be found at GoTigersGo.com while coverage of the Tiger's match against Tulane can be found on ESPN+.
·       Memphis will close out the season on the road at Tula and Wichita State on Nov. 24 and 26, respectively.

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.