Aug. 25, 2010

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -

Gray	19  25  25  20  14
Blue	25  18  21  25  16

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Altrese Hawkins downed a match-high 27 kills and setter Holly Fong added 50 assists and 13 digs, but the duo was bested by 14 kills from Marija Jovanovic and a double-double by Hajnalka Molnar as the Blue squad outlasted the Gray, 3-2, in Tiger volleyball's annual Blue-Gray Scrimmage at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse, Wednesday evening.

"Tonight was a good test run for our first match this Friday," said head coach April Jauregui. "We decided to make two even teams to have a high level of competition. I was pleased that the match went to five sets because our team gained from that experience."

Molnar set 42 assists and added 10 digs for the Blue club, who overcame a 2-1 deficit to win sets four and five. The transfer setter also served up five aces and made three blocks on the night. Jovanovic got help from transfer outside hitter Maja Kostic, who slammed 10 kills and made nine digs.

The Blue side took the opening set 25-19, but saw the Gray team storm back to claim the next two sets, 25-18 and 25-21, respectively. The Blue squad forced a deciding set with a five-point win in the fourth and completed the comeback with a 16-14 victory in the final set.

"During the first set there was some nervous energy but as the match progressed the girls loosened up and were playing more relaxed," Jauregui said. "I think the girls will take what they learned tonight and go into Friday's match ready to go."

Hawkins hit .268 on 56 swings and was assisted by Vesna Jelic's 13 kills. Jovan Barisic connected for seven kills and proved to be tough at the net with seven blocks. Christine Bach led all players with 22 digs.

Memphis will get its season underway, just two days from now. The Tigers will take on Jacksonville State at 6:30 p.m. on Fri., Aug. 27, in the Belmont Invitational.