June 1, 2012

MEMPHIS, Tenn. –The University of Memphis volleyball team will play a 31-match slate in 2012 that features 16 home matches, head coach April Jauregui announced Friday.

“Our staff is getting ready for the start of the 2012 season,” Memphis head coach April Jauregui said. August 8th (the start of preseason camp) is only 67 days away! The 2012 schedule includes some exciting changes. This year we see the return of the CUSA Conference Tournament. It is all too fitting considering this will be the final year for CUSA as we know it and our last year before making the jump to the Big East in 2013.

“We will also be playing a few local non-conference mid-week matches. Our pre-season is jammed packed with matches. In just 4 weeks we will play 14 matches. This will be great preparation for the rigorous conference schedule.”

The Tigers will travel to Charleston, S.C. and Toledo, Ohio for preseason tournaments in addition to hosting two tournaments with five teams each at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.

“I am thrilled to be hosting 2 pre-season tournaments this year,” Jauregui said. “I wanted to play a lot of regional teams and bring some great volleyball to the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.”

The 2012 season marks the senior campaigns for Marija Jovanovic, Maja Kostic and Altrese Hawkins, all of whom have had major impacts on the program. Hawkins is 439 kills away from tying the program record.

“Last, but certainly not least, we will celebrate the senior campaign of Tiger players Marija, Maja and Altrese. I know they want to make this season magical and one to remember. We will look to them for leadership and consistency on the court.”

The Tigers are coming off their most successful season in five years. Memphis posted the most wins (20) since Jauregui took over and won three preseason tournaments. Altrese Hawkins was named to Conference USA’s All-First Team for the second straight season, and the Tigers finished the season with a 20-13 record.

Schedule:

Friday and Saturday, August 24th-25th Home Preseason Tournament

Friday 24th
10:00 am UALR vs Eastern Michigan
12:00 pm Memphis vs Austin Peay
2:00 pm SIU vs Eastern Michigan
4:00 pm UALR vs Austin Peay
7:00 pm Memphis vs SIU

Saturday 25th
10:00 am Austin Peay vs. Eastern Michigan
12:00 pm Memphis vs UALR
2:00 pm SIU vs. Austin Peay
5:00 pm Memphis vs. Eastern Michigan

Tuesday, August 28TH NON CONFERENCE MATCH
6:00 pm @ Arkansas State

Friday and Saturday, August 31st-September 1st College of Charleston Preseason Tournament

Friday 31st
4:30 pm Memphis vs Serbian Team (exhibition match)

Saturday 1st
10:00 am Memphis vs University of North Florida
7:00 pm Memphis vs College of Charleston

Friday and Saturday, September 7th-8th University of Toledo Pre-season Tournament

Friday 7th
7:00 pm Memphis vs University of Toledo

Saturday 8th
10:00 am Memphis vs Florida Golf Coast
5:00 pm Memphis vs Illinois State University

Friday and Saturday, September 14th-15th Home Pre-season Tournament

Friday 14th
10:00 am Alabama A&M vs ULL
12:00 pm Memphis vs UIC
2:00 pm Belmont vs ULL
4:00 pm Alabama A&M vs UIC
7:00 pm Memphis vs Belmont

Saturday 15th
10:00 am UIC vs. ULL
12:00 pm Memphis vs Alabama A&M
2:00 pm Belmont vs. UIC
5:00 pm Memphis vs. ULL

Conference USA Schedule

Friday, September 21st
7:00 pm vs Rice

Sunday, September 23rd
1:00 pm vs Houston

Friday, September 28th
7:00 pm @ Tulane

Sunday, September 30th
1:00 pm @ UTEP

Friday, October 5th
7:00 pm vs UAB

Sunday, October 7th
4:00 pm @ UAB

Friday, October 12
7:00 pm vs UCF

Saturday, October 13th
7:00 pm vs So Miss

Tuesday, October 16th NON CONFRENCE MATCH
6:00 pm @ TN State

Friday, October 19th
7:00 pm @ ECU

Sunday, October 21st
1:00 pm @ Marshall

Thursday, October 25th
7:00pm vs Tulsa

Sunday, October 28th
1:00 pm @ SMU

Friday November 2nd
7:00 pm vs Marshall

Sunday, November 4th
1:00 pm vs ECU (senior day)

Friday, November 9th
7:00 pm @ UCF

Sunday, November 11th
1:00 pm @ So Miss

Friday-Sunday, November 16th-18th CUSA Tournament for top 8 seeds hosted by University of Tulsa

-www.gotigersgo.com-