Oct. 5, 2000

MEMPHIS, Tenn.-- - The Tiger Volleyball team (6-10, 0-4) will host a pair of Conference USA matches this weekend, when South Florida and Houston come to town. Both teams are at the top of the National Division, an important designation when it comes to seeding for the conference tournament in November.

The Tigers will open the weekend against South Florida, at 7 p.m., Friday. South Florida is 3-1 in the league and 11-4 overall. The Bulls welcomed back sophomore outside hitter Michelle Collier earlier this season after Collier suffered a season-ending knee injury before the conference season began last year. The injury hasn't slowed her down as she is currently second in the league with 5.94 kills per game and leads C-USA with 0.56 service aces a night. Her setter, senior Melanie Mueller is also second in the league, in assists, with 13.56 helpers a game.

On their last trip to the Elma Roane Fieldhouse, the Bulls had four players tally double-digit kills, three of whom are back in Memphis on this trip. Sophomore Maryann Mooney (outside hitter) led USF last time with 24 kills, junior middle hitter Chrissy Bush had 16 kills and senior middle Rachelle Paul added 15 kills in a 3-1 loss to the Tigers.

Saturday the Tigers will host Division-leading Houston (12-3, 5-0) at 7 p.m. Saturday Night is also Team Night at the Fieldhouse, where volleyball teams wearing their jerseys will be admitted for free.

Houston defeated Memphis, 3-1, last year in the Fieldhouse, in a match where then-senior Rosie Glenn surpassed her 1,000 career kill. The Rockets are on a tear this year, almost upending #23 Michigan in a 3-2 loss despite having a game point on the Wolverines. Houston leads C-USA in kills (16.91/game) and senior Jennifer Wittenburg, coming off a shoulder injury in 1999, leads the league with 6.16 kills per game. Wittenburg is often the recipient of setter Morgan Waller's attempts, leading Houston with 802 attempts. Senior Bobbi Stewart is second in attempts for the Cougars with 528 attacks.

The Houston match will be played at 7 p.m. Initially the match time had been pushed up in order to avoid a conflict with Tiger football, but with the football game being moved to the afternoon, the volleyball match was moved back to the evening.

Any teams interested in attending the match can show up in their team jerseys or can call the marketing office at 678-4142 and be put on a pass list.