Aug. 27, 2005

Box Score

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -

Memphis-North Texas Boxscore in PDF Format

North Texas (0-2)   30  30  23  16
Memphis (2-0)       26  32  30  30

Memphis-Arkansas Boxscore in PDF Format

Memphis (2-1)       24  23  24
Arkansas (3-0)      30  30  30

The Memphis volleyball squad battled to a 3-1 win over North Texas in the early match, but was swept by a strong Arkansas squad in the championship contest, to finish the weekend as runners-up of the 2005 Arkansas Invitational tournament. Sophomore middle hitter Shelby Burton and junior libero Christen Clayton were each named to the Arkansas Invitational All-Tournament team.

Memphis advanced to the title meeting with Arkansas by way of a tough four-set win over UNT. Despite dropping the opening set, Memphis was able to regroup and claim the next three. Four Tigers reached double figures in the kills category, led by Ashley Liford's 16. Junior Melissa Nance finished with 15 kills and Burton posted 12 kills with a .500 attack clip. Senior outside hitter Nancy Nellans posted her second consecutive double-double, downing 12 kills and adding 13 digs.

Defensively for Memphis, Clayton had a match-high 19 digs.

The Tigers won the battle in the kills department 70-50 and hit .287 for the match, including posting a .387 percentage in the fourth and final game.

The Lady Razorback defense proved to be a tougher task to overcome in the title match. Arkansas held Memphis to a dismal .074 hitting percentage. The Arkansas attack was powered by 13 total blocks. Nance was the leading attacker for the Tiger offense that recorded just 34 kills in the. The junior slammed eight kills for Memphis.

Nellans paced the squad with 14 digs, while Clayton chipped in 10.

Memphis will hit the floor next, when they take on Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the O'Charley's Tiger Invitational on Friday, Sept. 2. Match time is slated for 2 p.m.