Memphis Volleyball Falls At USF Sunday

Sunday, September 25

Tampa, Fla.

11 am

University of Memphis

8-6,0-2

USF

10-4,1-1

MEM

USF

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Sep 25, 2016 | Women's Volleyball

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Hayes, Kadiku record season highs in kills.

TAMPA, Fla. – University of Memphis senior McKenzie Hayes and freshman Brianna Kadiku both had season bests in kills as the Tigers volleyball squad dropped a 3-1 decision at USF Sunday. The Bulls captured the victory by scores of 25-20, 25-16, 20-25 and 25-18.

With the setback, Memphis fell to 8-6 overall and 0-2 in the American Athletic Conference. The Bulls improved to 10-4 overall and 1-1 in The American.

After three-straight weeks on the road, Memphis looks to get back on track when it returns to the Elma Roane Fieldhouse for the Tigers' conference-opening weekend. Memphis hosts Connecticut at 7 p.m. (CT) Friday, Sept. 30 and Temple at 12 p.m. (CT) Sunday, Oct. 2.

Hayes led the Tigers with a season-high 14 kills, and she added four digs. She had a .375 attack percentage in Sunday's match. Hayes' 14 kills were her most in a match since she had 17 in a 3-2 victory at Tulane Oct. 18, 2015. Kadiku had a season-best nine kills and also posted a team-best .500 attack percentage Sunday. Her previous high was seven kills in a 3-0 win at UAB last weekend.

Senior Catlin Lilly nearly posted a double-double with nine kills and 14 digs. The 14 digs were a season high and the most in a match since she recorded 16 in a 3-2 win at Houston Oct. 16, 2015. Senior Michaella Moss led Memphis with 18 digs, and Regan Comperry and Faith Myers each had 18 assists.

The first set had one tie and one lead change early, and then USF kept the lead the rest of the way. After the set was tied at 1-all, the Bulls went on a 10-3 spurt to grab command of the opening set. Memphis pulled to within three at 19-16 following kills from Lilly, Tai Bierria and Addison Root, but couldn't get any closer. USF won the first set 25-20.

Memphis stayed with the Bulls in the opening moments of set No. 2, tying the score at 6-all. Kadiku had two kills in keeping the Tigers within striking distance early. USF, however, put together a 13-4 run to charge out to a 19-10 advantage and eventually take the second set 25-16.

Memphis bounced back in the third set. After a Hayes kill knotted the score at 9-all, the Tigers went on a 6-0 run to take a 15-9 lead. Two Summer Morgan kills powered the Memphis spurt. The Tigers increased their advantage to eight at 19-11, before an 8-4 USF run pulled the Bulls to within four at 23-19. Another Hayes kill, however, halted the USF surge and gave Memphis a 25-20 win in the third set.

In the fourth set, Memphis jumped out to a 7-3 lead on the strength of two Hayes kills. The Bulls roared back for a 10-8 lead and never fell behind. Memphis tied the set at 10-all, 11-all and 12-all, but USF used an 8-1 run to take a 20-13 lead. The Bulls won the final set 25-18.