by Don Mooney 10-14-2023
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis picked up its third conference win and second in a row after defeating UAB 3-1 on Friday night. The Tigers (7-13, 3-5 AAC) took set one with a score of 25-15 before struggling at the net to drop set two 21-25. Memphis came back to finish off the Blazers with back-to-back wins in sets three and four, 25-15 and 25-22.
Memphis got off to a quick start, going on a 4-0 run early in set one. The Tigers were aided in their run by a kill from Autumn Flynn and a service ace from Jordan Heatherly. The Tigers extended the lead with big performances by the freshmen, with aces from Abigail Schlueter and Rylee Busse along with kills from Heatherly and Flynn.
Memphis finished the first set off on a 5-0 run with consecutive blocks from Clara Bednarek, Madison Rice-Locket and Heatherly, and a kill from Rice-Locket helped the Tigers secure the set 25-15. The Tigers recorded a .364 hitting clip along with three aces and three blocks in the frame. Memphis and UAB opened set two exchanging small runs, with the Tigers going on a 3-0 run before allowing the Blazers a 4-0 run of their own.
The Blazers took a three-point lead late in the set after a 7-1 run, forcing two Tiger timeouts. UAB would go on to take the set 25-21. Memphis opened set three with a commanding 8-3 lead behind blocks from Bednarek, Flynn, Heatherly and Tabytha Toelke. The Tigers put together a 5-1 run midway through set three, capitalizing on Bednarek, Toelke and Hannah Jones at the net along with a service ace from Busse.
Memphis finished the set off with another service ace from Schlueter that capped a 9-4 run, taking set three 25-15. The Tigers started set four strong putting up blocks from Bednarek, Toelke and Heatherly. Memphis continued the momentum forcing an early Blazer timeout. UAB put together a 7-3 run midway through the fourth set forcing a Memphis timeout.
The Tigers closed out the set with a late 4-0 run, taking it 25-22, with kills from Jones and Briggs, along with an ace from McKenzie Leach.