Oct. 5, 2008
Box Score
UTEP vs. Memphis Box Score
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The UTEP volleyball team fell, 3-1, to Memphis on Sunday afternoon at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse in Memphis, Tenn.
Senior Casey McAnelly led the attack for the Miners with 10 kills. Amy Sanders recorded nine kills and 10 digs as UTEP fell 5-12, 1-3 in C-USA play.
"When we served well and blocked well we were able to neutralize Memphis' athleticism and size," head coach Ken Murphy said. "After the first set we let that get away and that put them back in the match. As coaches we have to figure out how to convince our team that they have to play and execute with the same intensity throughout the match."
Down 8-6 in the first set, the Miners went on a nine-point run to take control of the set and take a 15-8 lead over the Tigers. Freshman M.T. Joyce powered UTEP behind the line, while senior outside hitter Casey McAnelly led the Miner attack with three kills during the run. Memphis cut the deficit to four before UTEP used a four-point run to position themselves for set point. The Miners took set one, 25-19, on a Memphis serving error.
Memphis rebounded to take a quick 5-1 lead early in the second set. UTEP found themselves fighting back as the Tigers led throughout the set. The Miners inched as close as two, but Memphis would not let up and evened out the match after a 25-17 victory in set number two. The Tigers took a 2-1 lead after taking the third set 25-13.
The Miners regained the intensity from the first set to the fourth set, but a confident Memphis team and the nation's leading blocker Emily Underwood would not rattle. UTEP tied the set 19-19 before the Tigers cashed in on their athleticism to take the match after a 25-20 win in set number four.
"Our middles had a good offensive match, particularly Aidan Mooney," Murphy added. "She made some important kills loosen up the block on their side. M.T. (Joyce) had a good match from the service line. She created a lot of pressure in the score and rotation."
Mooney finished the day with seven kills and a .462 hitting percentage. Joyce had a match-high three serving aces and seven digs.
UTEP stays on the road next week when they head to Dallas, Texas, for a Friday matchup at SMU and Tulsa, Okla., for a Sunday meeting against the Golden Hurricanes.
