Memphis Volleyball Sweeps UAB Friday

Friday, September 16

Birmingham, Ala.

7 pm

University of Memphis

7-4

UAB

7-8

Memphis

UAB

Photo by: Michael Wade

Sep 16, 2016 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Memphis-UAB Boxscore Memphis Season Stats

Tigers go for tournament title vs. UT Martin Saturday.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – University of Memphis junior Faith Myers recorded her first double-double of the season and freshman Brianna Kadiku had a season best in kills to lead the Tigers to their second win in UAB's Fight Like Hal Memorial Invitational Friday, this time a 3-0 win over the host Blazers.

It was Memphis' second 3-0 victory in the tournament as the Tigers defeated Louisiana earlier in the day.

The Tigers swept UAB by scores of 25-17, 25-23 and 25-13. The win improved Memphis' record to 7-4. The Blazers fell to 7-8.

Memphis wraps up play in the Fight Like Hal Memorial Invitational Saturday, Sept. 17 when it faces UT Martin at 11 a.m. (CT). Saturday's Tigers-Skyhawks match-up is the tournament's championship match.

Myers had a team-high 17 assists and added 10 digs for her first double-double of the season and the fourth of her career. Kadiku's seven kills were a season high to go along with her four blocks. Freshman Addison Root led the Tigers with 10 kills for her third double-digit performance this season.

"We have had multiple players step up in today's two matches," said Tigers head coach April Jauregui. "That's exciting to see as a coach. Every match is an opportunity to improve.

"Tomorrow, we have another chance to improve against an athletic and physical UT Martin squad."

Following her 12 kills in the win over Louisiana, freshman Tai Bierra had seven kills, seven digs and two blocks in the victory over UAB. Senior Catlin Lilly had a team-best 11 digs and five kills, and Michaella Moss collected 10 digs.

The match started close, and the teams were tied 7-all in the first set. The Tigers, though, ran off the next four points, including two Root kills, to gain some breathing room at 11-7. From there, Memphis built its lead on the way to a 25-17 first-set victory. The freshman trio – Bierria, Kadiku and Root – accounted for six of the Tigers' final nine points with kills.

The second set was a battle with 15 ties and three lead changes. The largest lead in the set was three points by the Blazers early on at 5-2. The set was tied at 18-all, 20-all, 22-all and 23-all, before Lilly and Bierria recorded consecutive kills to give Memphis a 25-23 win.

In the final set, the Tigers jumped out to a 5-0 advantage and never looked back. Memphis extended its advantage 15-5 on five-straight kills from Bierria (two) and Kadiku (three). The Tigers took the third set 25-13.