Nov. 11, 2011 
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Altrese Hawkins and Marija Jovanovic combined for 40 kills and led a Memphis attack that hit .338 en route to a 3-1 (26-24;19-25;25-19;25-21) victory over Tulane Friday night at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.

Hawkins hit her best percentage, .439, in any conference game this season, and Jovanovic hit a team-best .464 as a powerful offensive attack led past the Green Wave. Hajnalka Molnar also registered her third-straight double-double, tallying 55 assists and 13 digs, while Aleksandra Petronijevic anchored the defense with a match-high 25 digs. Katie Meyer also hit .429 and registered six total blocks in the match.

The first set proved to be a battle as neither team would lead by more than three points. Tulane took its largest lead of the set at 12-9 after a kill by Izabela Grot, but Memphis responded with a 4-1 run to tie the set at 13. The teams would trade points until two-straight attack errors gave Memphis a 21-18 advantage. Tulane fought back to tie the set at 24, but a kill by Molnar coupled with a Green Wave attack error sealed the set for Memphis, 26-24.

The U of M tallied 17 kills to Tulane's 13 in the second set, was plagued by errors throughout, ultimately dropping a 25-19 decision. Memphis jumped out to a 7-2 lead, but a service error by A. Hawkins swung the momentum the Green Wave's way and the teams were back at 7 all. The teams took turns with the lead before an attack error by A. Hawkins gave Tulane a 17-15 lead. Tulane closed the set on an 8-4 run to win it 25-19.

Tulane and Memphis battled back and forth early in the third set and found themselves tied at nine after an attack error by Vesna Jelic. Memphis went on a run to take a 17-13 advantage after a kill by Hawkins. The Green Wave got as close as 18-15 after a kill by Cori Martone, but Memphis finished the set on a 7-4 run to win 25-19.

The Tigers appeared poised to run away with the fourth set after a Tulane attack error gave Memphis an 8-4 advantage, but the Green Wave battled back and took the lead 10-9 on a kill by Lilly Wolfe. Memphis found its footing, however, and regained the lead at 13-12 after a kill by A. Hawkins. The Green Wave tied the set at 18-18 and 19-19, but Memphis took the lead for good at 20-19 on a kill by Lauren Hawkins. A kill by A. Hawkins sealed the set for Memphis, 25-21 and the match, 3-1.

Tulane was led by Martone (19) and Anna Wruck (13), who each posted double-digit kills. Wolfe turned in 44 assists in the loss, while Nikki Osuna led the defensive effort with 11 digs. Memphis improves to 2-0 against Tulane this season.

Memphis plays its final home game of the season tomorrow night as the Tigers return to the Elma Roane Fieldhouse for a matchup against Southern Miss at 7 p.m.

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