Memphis Slips Past Volleyball, 3-2
Nov. 8, 2003
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte 49ers volleyball team came close to earning their second conference win in as many nights, but fell short against Memphis, 3-2. With the match tied at two games each, the Tigers jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the fifth game and clinched the match with a 15-11 victory.
Tiara Gilkey led all players with 27.5 points for Memphis (27-4, 8-3 C-USA). She posted totals of 25 kills, a solo block and three block assists. She also came up with 18 digs to notch the double-double. Brittany Barnett finished with 16.5 points, knocking down 15 kills, a solo block and a block assist. Like Gilkey, she also had a double-double with 15 digs.
Chanda Waller made her final appearance in Halton Arena memorable, leading Charlotte (8-22, 1-10 C-USA) with 20 points. The senior posted 15 kills, a service ace, three solo blocks and two block assists. She also had 20 digs to earn her second double-double of the weekend. Abbey Szlanfucht was next on the team in scoring with 16 points, all on kills. Jessica Kelly, another senior playing in her final home match, was responsible for 14.5 points on 12 kills, two solo blocks and a block assist.
All five games were extremely tight with the first four decided by no more than three points. In game one, the 49ers picked up a 30-27 win to take a 1-0 lead in the match. The Tigers answered, taking the second and third games, 30-28 and 30-27, respectively. In game four, Charlotte held on to earn the 30-28 win, tying the match and forcing a fifth game. There, Memphis took a 4-0 lead early and went on to take the match with a 15-11 win.
A key stat in the Tigers' win was service errors. They gave up nine points on errors, compared to 16 for the Niners.
Next weekend, Charlotte travels to TCU and Houston to close out the regular-season. They remain in a three-way battle with Saint Louis and East Carolina for the final spot in the Conference USA Tournament.
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