Entering the home stretch of the regular season, The U of M volleyball team started a four game stretch finishing at home at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse, beginning with a double header against Central Florida.
In the first game, Memphis was defeated in a four-set decision by UCF on Thursday night, 24-26, 18-25, 25-22, 20-25. Junior outside hitter Altrese Hawkins tabbed a match high 23 kills, and junior setter Hajnalka Molnar registered yet another double-double this season with 50 assists and 11 digs. But despite a valiant effort, the Tigers (15-12, 4-10 C-USA) could not overcome 15 Golden Knights blocks and 21 kills from Angelica Crump.
Marija Jovanovic joined Hawkins in double digit kills with 11. Lauren Hawkins had 10. Katie Meyer, who hit .205 for the match, also contributed six blocks for the Tigers. Aleksandra Petronijevic led the Tigers with 16 digs on the night.
After that hard fought loss, the Tigers set out for redemption Friday as they faced the Knights for the second time. Career-best performances by middle blockers Lauren Hawkins and Katie Meyer garnered the win for the struggling Tigers (16-12, 5-10 in C-USA) against UCF (16-10, 8-7 C-USA) in four sets, 20-25, 15-25, 28-26, 25-23, ending a six-game losing streak.
"In both games we had good energy," said Marko Majstorovic, assistant coach. "On Friday, we were able to play some good volleyball together with that fighting energy. Altrese did equally good in both games, numbers wise; and as a leader, it was her best weekend."
Lauren Hawkins finished with a career-high 14 kills. Meyer posted seven blocks, also a career high. Altrese Hawkins wrapped up the night with 18 kills and 11 digs, another double-double, Hajnalka Molnar joined Hawkins with a double-double of 50 assists and 10 digs.
"I feel like we wanted it more. We were fighting and no one gave up," Lauren said. "We just kept going the whole game."
The Lady Tigers will host their final home matches this weekend, welcoming Tulane and Southern Miss for back-to-back matchups on Friday and Saturday at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
