Nov. 15, 1999

Memphis, Tenn.-- - The University of Memphis Tigers (11-21, 4-12) finished their regular season 3-1 over their last four matches and have earned the No. 11 seed heading into the Conference USA Tournament to be held at the University of South Florida, Thursday through Sunday. Memphis' first round opponent will be No. 6 seed Marquette University (16-11, 9-7). The two teams will open the tournament with a 1 p.m. match, Thursday.

Marquette won the only regular season match between the two teams, 3-0, at Milwaukee early in the season, but Memphis leads the head-to-head series, 10-2.

Memphis, in its fifth year as a member of Conference USA, has qualified for all of the previous four C-USA tournaments, but has never met Marquette in the post-season. The Tigers have advanced to the second round of the tournament in three of the previous four years, including last year when they defeated DePaul, 3-1, before losing 3-0 to eventual champion and NCAA Sweet 16 participant Louisville.

The winner of the Memphis/Marquette match will play No. 3 seed Houston at 1 p.m., Friday. Houston swept the regular season series with Memphis this season.