April 5, 2004

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis volleyball team, coming off a 30-6 regular season, and the program's first-ever appearance in the Conference USA Championship finals, will participate in its second spring scrimmage, Saturday, at the University of Arkansas tournament.

"Spring practice is going well," Tiger Head Coach Carrie Yerty said. "Nancy Nellans has done a great job of stepping up and filling in where Brittany Barnett was in our rotation this year and Fehi Tuivai continued to progress. She improved so much toward the end of the year, and she has just gotten better over the spring."

The Tigers will be looking to replace Barnett and Shella Neba. The two Tigers, who completed their senior seasons by helping Memphis advance the deepest it has ever gone in the Conference USA tournament, will be sizeable departures for the 2004-05 Tiger team.

Returning for the 2004-05 run will be rising seniors Heather Watts and Tiara Gilkey. Both were third team All-Conference USA honorees and were both named to the Conference USA All-Tournament Team following the loss in the championship game to then-No. 18 Louisville.

Memphis will wrap up its spring practice schedule at Tennessee, Apr. 17th.