Memphis Outlasts Temple in Five-Set Battle to Earn First October Victory

Friday, October 16

Memphis, Tenn.

6:30 p.m.

University of Memphis

7-11,2-5American

Temple

11-8,3-4American

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Temple	25	22	25	23	8	2
Memphis	18	25	22	25	15	3

Memphis Outlasts Temple in Five-Set Battle to Earn First October Victory

Oct 16, 2026 | Volleyball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis volleyball team (7-11, 2-5 American) snapped a three-match skid and secured its first win of October by defeating Temple (11-8, 3-4 American) in five sets inside the Elma Roane Fieldhouse on Friday evening. The victory marks the Tigers' first triumph since defeating UAB on Sept. 30.

HOW IT HAPPENED
In the opening set, Memphis and Temple went point-for-point before the Owls took control with a 4-0 run to build a 10-7 advantage. Temple continued to press, using a 3-0 run to extend the lead to 14-9. Kaylee Parker recorded a kill for Memphis that sparked a 3-0 spurt to cut the deficit to four points. The Owls stayed in command and closed on a 3-0 run to take the set, 25-18.

The Owls opened the second set with a 3-0 burst to take the lead after both sides traded early points. Memphis responded with a 3-0 run of its own on kills from Jordan Turner and Amanda Hardt. Hardt caught fire with three consecutive kills to provide a 12-9 lead. Temple tried to crawl back into the set by capitalizing on Memphis service and attacking miscues, along with a 3-0 push sparked by a Sarah Quarrels kill. The Tigers held off the charge and clinched the set, 25-22, on a block from Parker and Caitlyn Little.

Both teams traded runs to open the third set, with the Owls maintaining a slim one-point advantage. The sides exchanged points until Temple seized control with a 6-0 run to lead 16-8. A Lily Hamilton kill sparked an 8-0 Tiger counter to jump ahead 18-17, but Temple closed with a 3-0 run to take the set, 25-22.

The fourth set started similarly to the opener until the Tigers strung together consecutive 3-0 runs for a 14-7 advantage. Temple answered with three straight points to make it 14-10. Memphis took advantage of Owl errors to push the margin to seven. Olivia Hummel registered three consecutive kills for Temple to create late momentum, and the Owls cut the deficit to a single point following a late 4-0 run. However, a Temple service error sealed the 25-23 frame for Memphis to force a decider.

The Owls tried to halt Memphis' momentum with a 4-1 spurt to open the fifth set before the Tigers leveled the score with a 3-0 run. While Temple converted on a pair of Tiger service errors, Memphis capitalized on an unanswered 5-0 run to secure the set and match, 15-8.

NOTABLES

The victory marks the first home win in the month of October for Memphis and the Tigers' first victory since defeating UAB on Sept. 30, 2026.
This victory marks the first time the Tigers won a match while being outkilled by their opponent since Nov. 22, 2023, when North Texas held a 40-34 kill advantage over Memphis.
The Tigers tallied 22 block assists, which ranks tied for 20th in program single-match history and marks Memphis' highest total in a match since Oct. 13, 2023, against UAB.
Amanda Hardt led offensively with 16 kills and 17 points
Caitlyn Little followed with 14 kills and 16 points.
- Little recorded her fifth double-double this season.
- This marks the seventh match this season in which Little and Hardt have both posted double-digit kills.
Sydney Marshall handed out 35 assists throughout the contest.
Abigail Schlueter anchored with 16 digs to reach 1,400 career digs.
Tori Hill followed with a season high of 13 digs.
Paige Mock led with a season high of eight blocks including one solo block.

UP NEXT
Memphis returns to the Elma Roane Fieldhouse on Sunday, Oct. 18, to host East Carolina at noon on ESPN+.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS
For complete information on Memphis Tigers Volleyball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.