Sept. 9, 2005

MACON, Ga. -

Florida International (5-3)     23  18  28
Memphis (7-2)                   30  30  30

The Memphis volleyball squad bounced back from this morning's loss to UNC-Ashville with a convincing sweep of Florida International in its second match of the day at the Mercer University Bear Brawl. Senior outside hitter Nancy Nellans led all players with 15 kills.

Memphis wasted little time establishing control of the contest. The Tigers, who hit .382 in the opening frame, broke a 13-13 tie with a 4-0 run midway through the set and never looked back on its way to a seven-point win.

The Tigers jumped out to a 4-1 advantage in the second frame. A six-point rally pushed the U of M lead to 10 at 17-7 as the Tigers cruised to the 2-0 cushion. Memphis hit a scorching .393 and held FIU to a -.061 clip.

FIU held a 24-22 lead late in the third game, but Memphis put on a 6-0 push to go ahead 28-24. Melissa Nance led the charge that helped the Tigers wrap up the contest with an assisted block, a solo block and a kill.

The U of M, who was led by Nellans, got nine kills from Ashley Liford. Shelby Burton and Nance posted .571 and .385 attack percentages, respectively. Nance added six block assists on the defensive side of the net. Freshman setter Laura Côtè dished out 38 assists to go with nine digs. Christen Clayton led Memphis with 13 digs.

The Tigers held the Panthers to just .070 hitting and finished with a 45-34 advantage in kills.

Memphis will wrap up play in the Mercer University Bear Brawl on Saturday with a 1 p.m. match with Mercer, followed by a battle with Louisiana Tech at 5 p.m.