Memphis Returns Home to Host 2021 Tiger Brawl

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – For the first time since 2019, the Memphis Tigers will once again host the Tiger Brawl, a two-day, four-team tournament in Memphis. After three straight road tournaments to open the season, Memphis will return home and face off with Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Arkansas State at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. respectively Friday and finish with UT Martin at 11 a.m. Saturday.

The Tigers opened the season 6-0 but enter the Tiger Brawl after falling in three straight five-set matches at the SEMO Invitational. The Tigers rallied from two sets down in a loss to Southeast Missouri State, lost a two-set lead against Kansas City, and couldn't hold an early one-set advantage against Marshall. Autumn Hamilton was a bright spot for Memphis, as her 40 kills in the tournament earned her All-Tournament recognition.

Memphis has dominated the all-time series with both Arkansas-Pine Bluff and UT Martin, while the storied rivalry with Arkansas State is nearly dead even. The Tigers have met Arkansas-Pine Bluff six times and come away with six victories, which includes five victories in Memphis, the most recent Sept. 9, 2019. The Tigers have matched up with UT Martin 26 times dating back to 1979 and are 24-2 in those matchups. A loss on the road in 2018 snapped Memphis' 13-match winning streak in the series, but the Tigers bounced back with a victory over the Skyhawks in 2019. Memphis and Arkansas State have met 53 times dating back to 1979 and the Tigers hold a slim 27-26 edge in the all-time series. The Red Wolves have won six straight meetings and nine of the past 10. This includes a victory in Memphis Aug. 25, 2018.

NOTABLES

The Tigers enter the weekend first in the AAC in opponents hitting percentage (.169) and second in assists per set (12.55)
Memphis is also second in the AAC in both kills per set (13.27) and digs per set (16.42)
Miaya Smith's .323 hitting percentage is sixth in the conference, while Elizabeth Orf (.268) sits 19^th
Orf's 1.12 blocks per set top the Tigers and rank fourth in the AAC
Sabrina Bianco leads the conference in assists per set (10.79), good for 25^th in the nation

Full Tiger Brawl Schedule (home teams listed second)

Friday, Sep. 17
9 a.m. – UT Martin vs. Arkansas State
11 a.m. – Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Memphis
5 p.m. – UT Martin vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
7 p.m. – Arkansas State vs. Memphis

Saturday, Sep. 18
9 a.m. – Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Arkansas State
11 a.m. – Memphis vs. UT Martin

Live stats for every game of the 2021 Tiger Brawl will be available at www.memphisstats.com.

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.

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Players Mentioned

Sabrina Bianco

Autumn Hamilton

Elizabeth Orf

Miaya Smith