University of Memphis
Jackson State
Memphis Holds off Jackson State in UCA Sugar Bear Classic
Sep 17, 2010 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 17, 2010
CONWAY, Ark. -
Box Score
Jackson State (3-7) 26 23 18 Memphis (8-2) 28 25 25
Memphis got 11 kills from Altrese Hawkins and Marija Jovanovic, and used late-game comebacks to claim win each of the first two sets to sweep of Jackson State at the UCA Sugar Bear Classic this morning. The win extends the Tiger's win streak to five matches and improves them to 8-2 on the year.
"Jackson State hustles and has athletes that can give you trouble if you are not playing at your top level," said head coach April Jauregui. "We didn't start the match off playing Tiger volleyball, but in the end, we picked it up and were able to pull it out. When our serve and pass game is clicking we are a tough team. We were struggling a little in that area in games one and two. Tonight against UCA we must bring our best. They are a good team. I am looking forward to this match up and test for our team."
Memphis' five-match win streak is it longest since 2007, while its 8-2 start is the best since 2006.
Game one saw the Tigers fall behind 14-8 after a 6-0 run Jackson State. However, Memphis withstood the initial barrage and countered with a kill by Altrese Hawkins and a service ace by Vesna Jelic as part of a three-point push to keep the tilt close at 14-11. The Tiger continued to chip away at Jackson State's lead and pulled even at 18-all after forcing four JSU attacking errors. From there the two clubs battle back and forth with Memphis gaining the advantage after a block by Jovanovic and Katie Meyer. With the score knotted at 26, the JSU made a serving error and followed with an attacking error to give Memphis the hard-fought 28-26 win.
Set two was much like the first, with Jackson State using a 5-1 surge to take a five-point lead and force Memphis into a timeout. A pair of kills by setter Hajnalka Molnar and Jovanovic helped the Tigers grab the momentum and even the slate at 14-14. The two sides battled through four ties, with the last coming at 21-21 on assisted blocks by Altrese Hawkins and Meyer. Jovanovic followed with kills on the next two serves to put Memphis on top 23-21. That would be all the cushion the U of M needed for a 2-0 lead.
Kills by Katlin Inglish and Cassidy Hawkins fueled a four-point run that gave Memphis a 10-6 lead early in the third. The Tigers never looked back and extended the advantage to 14-7 on three-straight service aces by Jelic. The sophomore outside hitter finished the contest with a match-high five aces. Memphis led by as many as 10 points on five occasions before JSU made a late push in a 25-18 final.
Molnar recorded her first double-double of the season, handing out 35 assists and adding 11 digs. Jovanovic hit a stiff .409 in the contest and Cassidy Hawkins hit .357 with seven kills.
Libero Christine Bach led the Memphis defense with a match-best 14 digs. Meyer made five total blocks.
Memphis will take on the host UCA Sugar Bears in the nightcap. First serve is set for 7 p.m. at UCA's Prince Center. Tiger fans can watch the match live by logging on to www.ucagameday.com.
