Aug. 24, 2010

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis volleyball squad will hold its annual Blue-Gray Scrimmage at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse on Wed., Aug. 25. First serve is slated for 7 p.m.

"The Blue/Gray Scrimmage offers an opportunity for our fans to see our team in action and for the team to get that "game-like" feeling before we play our first official match of the year on Friday," said head coach April Jauregui.

Led by seniors Christine Bach, Katlin Inglish and Becky Shaffer, the Tigers will showcase an entourage of new faces on Wednesday--the team's final preparation for Friday night's season-opener versus Jacksonville State at the Belmont Invitational.

After a rough 7-24 campaign in 2009, Memphis looks to show considerable improvements with the return of its senior class and sophomores Marija Jovanovic and Altrese Hawkins. The duo led the club offensively a year ago and has high expectations for the upcoming season. The addition of transfers Holly Fong (High Point), Cassidy Hawkins (UT Martin), Vesna Jelic (New Orleans), Maja Kostic (Kennesaw State), Hajnalka Molnar (New Orleans) and should provide the Tigers with a solid backing of depth and experience.

Memphis will compete in three matches in the 2010 season's opening weekend at the Belmont Invitational. Following the opening contest against Jacksonville State on Friday, the Tigers will take on host Belmont at 12:30 p.m., and Miami (Ohio) University at 3:30 p.m. in a doubleheader on Sat., Aug. 28.

The pre-season practices have gone well," Jauregui stated. "We have had a very specific plan for our pre-season progression. We have been playing a lot of 6 v. 6 since day one so we are getting used to each other on the court. The team is looking very solid in practice. This weekend will be a good indicator of where we are at and where we need to go. We are all eager to step on the court and compete."