Tigers Fall to Shockers in American Conference Opener

Friday, September 25

Wichita, Kan.

6 p.m.

University of Memphis

5-7,0-1American

Wichita State

4-9,1-0American

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Memphis	20	22	25	21	1
Wichita St.	25	25	21	25	3

Tigers Fall to Shockers in American Conference Opener

Sep 25, 2026 | Volleyball

Box Score

WICHITA, Kan. – The University of Memphis volleyball team (5-7, 0-1 American) opened American Conference play with a four-set loss to Wichita State (4-9, 1-0 American) inside Charles Koch Arena on Friday evening.

HOW IT HAPPENED
In the opening set, Memphis built an 11–6 lead before Wichita State answered with three straight points to trim the margin. Both teams battled back and forth until a kill by McKenzie Jones sparked a late Shocker surge, closing out the set for Wichita State, 25–20.

The second set proved tightly contested from the start. Janaya Weitkemper gave Wichita State momentum with a four-point run for a 12–10 lead. Caitlyn Little delivered late kills and a service ace to keep Memphis close, but the Shockers held on with a 3–0 run to seal the set, 25–22.

The Tigers responded in the third set, jumping out to a 7–3 advantage following kills from Dawn Moore and Little, along with a Genesis Rodriguez ace. Wichita State answered to cut the deficit to one, but an 18–13 Tigers lead—fueled by a Moore kill—proved to be enough. Memphis held off a late Shocker rally behind closing kills from Amanda Hardt and Little to claim the set, 25–21.

The fourth set mirrored the second, with both sides trading blows early before Memphis took a 7–6 lead. Wichita State answered with four unanswered points to regain control. Late kills from Weitkemper and Olivia Cohee ultimately secured the set and the match for the Shockers, 25–21.

NOTABLES

Caitlyn Little led the Tigers offensively with 20 kills along with 24 points.
- This marks the fourth 20 plus kill performance this season.
Amanda Hardt followed with 15 kills and 18.5 points.
Dawn Moore tied her career-high of kills at nine.
- The freshman has tied her career-high now three times this season.
Sydney Marshall dished out 41 assists during the contest.
- The junior has recorded 40 plus assists in four matches this season.
Kaylee Parker led the team in blocks at five.
- Parker has now recorded five or more blocks in five matches this season.
Three Tigers reached double figures in digs: Marshall (17), Tori Hill (12), and Abigail Schlueter (14).
- Hill's 12 digs is a new season-high for the sophomore.
- Schlueter also set a season-high with six assists.
Génesis Rodríguez set a new season-high of service aces at three.

UP NEXT
Memphis continues its road swing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, taking on the Golden Hurricane on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. 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.