Aug. 20, 2007

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - With less than a week before the opening of its 2007 season, the University of Memphis volleyball team will compete in a match-like atmosphere for the first time when the squad holds its annual Blue-Gray preseason scrimmage on Tues., Aug. 21. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.

Picked to finish fourth in the Conference USA preseason poll, the Tigers roster showcases a wealth of talent with All-American honorable mention performers Shelby Burton and Laura Côté leading the way. Burton and Côté were also All-C-USA first team selections in 2006 and 2007 Preseason All-C-USA picks. One of the league's top middle hitters, Burton ranked second in the league and fifth in the country with a .413 hitting percentage last year. She also led C-USA and ranked 24th in the NCAA in aces per game, landing 0.57 per game. Côté led the conference and ranked 28th in the nation in assists per game, dishing out 13.02 per outing.

In addition to Burton and Côté, Memphis returns senior outside hitter Ashley Liford and junior outside hitter Sarah Bury. Liford became the 18th Tiger to reach 1,000 kills and was tabbed a member of the C-USA All-Academic squad last year, while Bury earned her first C-USA Player of the Week honor in a break-through sophomore season.

The Tigers open the 2007 schedule at the Louisville Invitational on Fri., Aug. 24. Memphis will take on the Cardinals in its opening contest of the year.