University of Memphis
Denver
Tigers Set for First Road Trip Ahead of Denver Classic
Sep 03, 2025 | Women's Volleyball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis volleyball hits the road for the first time this season to Denver, Colo. for the Denver Classic on Sept. 4-6.
The Tigers will face the host school Denver Pioneers on Thursday at 7 p.m. following Idaho State at 5 p.m. on Friday before finishing the classic against Texas Southern at noon on Saturday. These matches will be on Midco Sports Plus. All times listed are central.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Memphis (3-0) comes into the weekend after hosting the Rumble at the Roane Invitational where the Tigers went undefeated against USC Upstate, Northwestern State and Tennessee State.
Four Tigers received American Conference honors in the first week. Amanda Hardt received Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Tigers in kills and aces with 48 kills and eight aces. Maddy Bach was recognized as the Setter of the Week after recorded 96 assists, highlighted by 34 against USC Upstate. Zaniah Hoskins was the Freshman of the Week after a standout performance against USC Upstate, where she put up 15 kills, 18 points and 12 digs. Janyah Henderson was an American honorable mention after 26 kills and 12 total blocks.
SCOUTING THE FIELD
Denver (1-1) opened the 2025 season with a loss against No. 21 USC before defeating Loyola Marymount. Genevieve Lewis led the Pioneers in kills and points, highlighted by 15 kills and 18.5 points in the win. Izabela Molina recorded 10 blocks, including two solo blocks over the opening weekend.
Idaho State (0-3) started their 2025 season at The Ridge Invitational, where they fell in all three matches that all went five sets. Meline Shulikov leads the Bengals kills with 31, with 11 against the University of the Pacific. Shulikov recorded 12 blocks in the opening weekend. Jaydin Watts, who was selected as the Big Sky Conference's Preseason MVP and to the Preseason All-Conference Team, recorded 30 kills and added 15 blocks in the Bengals first three matches.
Texas Southern (0-3) is coming off a weekend in Lafayette, La. where they fell in three matches to Louisiana, New Orleans and Tarleton State. Emori Harper, Laura Piva and Keldri Young recorded double-digit kill performances during the first weekend of the season.
THE SERIES AGAINST THE PIONEERS, BENGALS AND TIGERS
Memphis holds a 1-0 advantage in the series against Denver, with the lone meeting coming in 1997 at the Tiger Invitational. This weekend marks the first-ever matchups between Idaho State and Texas Southern.
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.
