Oct. 4, 2008

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -

In a contest dictated by momentum swings, it was Tulane who managed to score when it counted the most as the Green Wave handed Memphis a tough 3-1 loss in Conference USA action on Friday night. Memphis falls to 11-6, 2-2 in C-USA play. Tulane remains undefeated in league play at 3-0, while improving to 11-4 overall.

"There were some huge momentum swings. Tulane would get up and just crushed some balls. Our kids would be down, and then we made a couple of big blocks, there were a couple of bad calls and then a crazy dig lands on the endline. It was an exciting match, though. It was kind of like a grit match where whoever survived the longest was going to win."

Memphis was led offensively by Katlin Inglish's 15 kills and Laura Côté set a match-best 30 assists. The Tigers put up a strong effort defensively, holding the Green Wave to .163 hitting and recording 15 blocks. Freshman Carolyn Baker led all players with eight blocks. She was aided by teammates Emily Underwood and Rebekah Strickland, who both registered five blocks.

"I think our kids can look back at the match and see they had opportunities to win, especially in sets three and four. But Tulane, on paper, is a fantastic team. They are the best team in our conference. For our kids to go out and have a chance to win, that is a positive for sure. If Tulane does not win the conference this year and go to the (NCAA) tournament...well, they should. For our team to play with them and show where they can be against a team in the Top 30, that is an exciting match."

Memphis will look to return to its winning form on Sunday, when it hosts UTEP at 1 p.m.