Tigers can’t slow down Tulsa in 3-0 loss

Friday, February 26

Memphis, Tenn.

1:00 PM

University of Memphis

3-5,0-4AAC

Tulsa

2-2,2-2AAC

Tulsa

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Feb 26, 2021 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After a 3-1 loss on Thursday night where the Memphis Tigers were close in nearly every set, the Friday matchup between the Tigers and Tulsa Golden Hurricane was controlled by the visitors, as Tulsa won in straight sets, 19-25, 16-25, & 19-25.

Memphis (3-5, 0-4) stayed relatively even with the Golden Hurricane in the first set, as Tulsa (2-2, 2-2) led just 13-11. The Golden Hurricane followed with a 5-2 run to take an 18-13 lead that they never relinquished. Tulsa only won seven of the next 13 points, but it was enough for the 25-19 first set victory. The Golden Hurricane hit .382 in the first set while the Tigers hit just .184.

The Golden Hurricane stormed out of the gates in the second set, as the visitors started on an 8-1 run, that led to an early Memphis timeout. The Tigers struggled once again on the attack, as they hit just .200 in the set, though that was their best mark of the afternoon. Tulsa never looked back from a big early edge in the 25-16 win.

Looking to extend the match to four sets for the second consecutive day against Tulsa, the Tigers didn't hit well in the third set, with a match-high eight attack errors, but stayed competitive as the set was level 14-14. Even with the worst attack set of the match for Tulsa, the Golden Hurricane offense proved too much for the Tigers, as Tulsa closed out the match on an 11-5 run for a 25-19, 3-0 victory.

Tigers Tidbits

No Tigers player recorded double-digit kills for just the second time this season and first time since Jan. 29
Memphis fell to the Golden Hurricane for the fifth consecutive match and fourth straight time at home
Bailey Houlihan led the Tigers in digs with 20, the seventh time in eight matches the freshman Libero has done so

Up Next
The Tigers are nearly done with their home schedule following the loss to Tulsa, with only two matches against SMU remaining at the Larry O. Finch Center, March 26-27. Prior to that, the Tigers will play consecutive weekends on the road, with two matches against Wichita State and two matches against Houston. Memphis will play in Wichita, KS. against the Shockers this Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and 1 p.m. respectively.