Quick Facts/Credits... 1 Media Information... 2

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1 2005 Tiger Volleyball Quick Facts Location:...Memphis, Tennessee Enrollment:... 20,668 Founded: President:...Dr. Shirley C. Raines Phone:... (901) Athletic Director:...R. C. Johnson Phone:... (901) SWA:... Lynn Parkes Phone:... (901) Faculty Rep.:...Rodney Smith Athletic Media Relations Director: Jennifer Rodrigues Volleyball Contact:...Jason C. Redd Phone:...(901) Cell Phone:... (901) Fax:...(901) Compliance Coordinator:...Jeff Konya Phone:... (901) Nickname:...Tigers Colors:...Blue and Gray Conference:... Conference USA Arena (Capacity):... Elma Roane... Fieldhouse (2000) 2004 Record: C-USA Record/Finish:...9-4/5th Head Coach:... Carrie Yerty Phone:... (901) Alma Mater:.Washington State, 1992 Overall Record/Record at Memphis: /Nine years Assistant Coach:... April Harriman Phone:... (901) Alma Mater:...Memphis, 2001 Assistant Coach:... Travis Filar Phone:... (901) Alma Mater:...Furman, 2000 Letterwinners Returning/Lost:... 8/3 Starters Returning/Lost:... 6/2 Website... Table of Contents Quick Facts/Credits... 1 Media Information... 2 Coaching Staff Carrie Yerty April Harriman... 7 Travis Filar... 8 Support Staff... 9 Managers and Trainers Outlook 2005 Outlook Roster Players Kristen Hardee Nancy Nellans Fehi Tuivai Shelby Burton Christen Clayton Ashley Liford Melissa Nance Hristina Slancheva Emily Steckel Newcomers Sarah Bury/Laura Cote Colette Ramirez Kori Smith/Rebekah Strickland Year-In-Review 2004 Review Statistics Seniors Conference USA C-USA Write-up C-USA Standings/Stats Memphis Volleyball History By the Numbers Year-by-Year Results Coaching Record Career Records Individual Single-Season Records Team Single-Season Records Single-Match Records ,000 Kill Club Post-Season History All-Time Tournament Results All-Time Roster Honor Roll Opponents All-Time Records vs. Opponents.. 64 University of Memphis University Section On the Cover: L to R: Senior middle blocker (7) Fehi Tuivai, senior outside hitter (9) Nancy Nellans, senior outside hitter (24) Kristen Hardee and Head Coach Carrie Yerty, CREDITS The 2005 University of Memphis Tiger Volleyball Guide is intended for the editorial use of media organizations covering the Tigers. Any reprinted, reproduction or other use of the contents for any commercial use is prohibited. This guide is a publication of The University of Memphis Athletic Media Relations Department. It was designed and edited by Jason C. Redd using PageMaker 6.5 and Photoshop 6.0. Photography was provided by Gerald Gallik. Additional thanks to Joel Frey of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau and Elizabeth Walker of Publication Services for supplying photos for the university section. The covers were designed by Sean Hufnagle of Disciple Design. The media guide was printed by EBSCO Media in Birmingham, Ala. Any questions, requests or changes to this guide should be directed to Jason C. Redd, Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations at (901) UofM /750EBSCO 1

2 Media Information PRINT Phil Stukenborg The Commercial Appeal 495 Union Avenue Memphis, TN Phone: FAX: Matthew Laurie The Daily Helmsman University of Memphis Memphis, TN Phone: FAX: Frank Murtaugh Memphis Flyer 460 Tennessee St. Memphis, TN Phone: FAX: Buck Patton Shelby Sun Times 7508 Capital Dr. Cordova, TN Phone: FAX: Dan Moore Germantown News 7545 North Street Germantown, TN Phone: FAX: Sports Editor Tiger Times P.O. Box 972 Cleveland, MS Phone: David Climer/ Maurice Patton The Tennesseean 1100 Broadway Nashville, TN Phone: FAX: Ron Caldwell DeSoto Times 315 Losher Street P.O. Box 100 Hernando, MS Phone: FAX: University Dan Morris of Memphis Athletic Media Relations Jennifer Rodrigues Director Matt Beltz Grad. Asst. LOCAL MEDIA The Jackson Sun 245 W. Lafayette Jackson, TN Phone: FAX: Lamar Chance Assistant Kelly Davis Grad. Asst. Wally Wellman Shelby-Sun Times 7508 Capital Dr. Germantown, TN Phone: FAX: TELEVISION Glenn Carver WREG-TV (CBS) 803 Channel Three Dr. Memphis, TN Phone: FAX: Jarvis Greer WMC-TV 5 (NBC) 1960 Union Ave. Memphis, TN Phone: FAX: David Lee Matt Stark WHBQ-TV 13 (Fox) 485 S. Highland Memphis, TN Phone: FAX: Greg Gaston WPTY-TV (ABC) 2701 Union Ave. Memphis, TN Phone: Fax: RADIO Bob McDowell WUMR-FM 91.7 Univ. of Memphis Memphis, TN Phone: FAX: Eli Savoie WHBQ-AM Mt. Moriah Memphis, TN Phone: FAX: Tammy DeGroff Assistant Brandon Kolditz Grad. Asst. Jason Redd Assistant MEDIA INFORMATION PRESS CREDENTIALS/PARKING Credentials for media wishing to cover Tiger volleyball can be obtained by contacting Jason Redd, Athletic Media Relations Assistant, at (901) Media covering visiting teams are asked to contact the Athletic Media Relations office at least one day prior to the game. MATCH SERVICES The Memphis Athletic Media Relations staff will provide game notes and programs, statistics, rosters, media guides, and final box scores and play-by-play and any other pertinent information to all members of the media. PRACTICES/INTERVIEWS All Tiger practices are closed to the public, but interview arrangements may be made by contacting Jason Redd in the Athletic Media Relations Office before noon on any specific day. All interviews are coordinated with Head Coach Carrie Yerty through Redd. If you wish to interview Coach Yerty or a Tiger player, contact Redd so that an interview can be set around the player's academic and practice schedules. Coach Yerty and Tiger players are available for postgame interviews 10 minutes following the end of each game. TICKET INFORMATION Tickets for all Tiger home volleyball matches are available at the University of Memphis Ticket Office at the corner of Southern and Normal, or by calling (901) Tickets are also available at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse ticket window on the day of the match. TIGERS ON THE WEB The official athletic web site of the University of Memphis is Media information, such as game notes, box scores, statistics, etc., are all available on the web site. University of Memphis Athletics Mission Statement The primary mission of the Department of Athletics is to provide a successful athletic program at the highest level of competition. Characterized by academic, athletic and moral excellence in a diverse collegiate environment, the program will abide by the spirit of the rules governing students and intercollegiate athletics and will be known for its good sportsmanship and integrity. The University of Memphis is a comprehensive urban university committed to the scholarly accomplishments of our students and faculty and to the enhancement of our community, state and the nation through principles of academic integrity, sound management and equal opportunity. 2

3 2005 Tiger Coaches & Staff 3

4 Coaches & Staff CarrieYERTY Head Coach 10 th Season Washington State, 1992 Head coach Carrie Yerty enters her 10 th season at the helm of the Tiger volleyball program, making her the longest tenured coach in Memphis volleyball history. In those 10 years Yerty has turned the program around and continues to build a winning tradition. Under Yerty, the Tigers have posted 57 wins the last two seasons the most wins in a two-year span since the 1980 and 1981 seasons. Along with that, Memphis has put up seven winning seasons in the last 10 years, including four consecutive from Yerty led Memphis to its second-consecutive 25-win season in 2004, as the Tigers advanced to the semifinals of the Conference USA Tournament for the second straight year. Memphis mark in 2004 marked the third time since 1990 that the Tigers won 27 matches in a single season. Last year s.730 winning percentage is the second-highest since Yerty saw her commitment to long-term success move forward in 2003 when she guided the Tigers to a 30-6 mark and its first-ever appearance in the Conference USA Championship match. That team was just the second team in C-USA history to hit the 30- Yerty s Career Highlights Second all-time with 167 wins 57 wins over the last two seasons Six winning seasons Four consecutive winning campaigns Longest head coaching stint in Memphis volleyball history Best single-season winning percentage in 2003 (30-6,.833) First-ever appearance in Conference USA Championship final in 2003 C-USA Setter of the Year (Heather Watts, 2004) Heather Watts becomes Tiger Volleyball s first All-American C-USA Defensive Player of the Year (Amie Hamilton, 1999) win mark. The Tigers.833 winning percentage was the best single-season mark in school history. Yerty is also second on the Memphis career coaching wins list with 167 victories ( record). She is now just 45 wins away from becoming the winningest coach in Memphis volleyball history. Yerty has also led Memphis to the most winning seasons (seven) of any Tiger volleyball coach. Yerty began her Tiger career on July 15, 1996, when she was hired to replace former head coach Penny Lucas-White less than six weeks before the start of the season. She inherited a squad that finished the previous year and featured just five returning players. In her first year, the Tigers finished 8-27 overall and 1-13 in Conference USA, but Yerty did not let that one season spoil her dreams of developing and guiding the Division I program into the national spotlight. She hit the recruiting trails and her hard work has resulted in two Academic All-America honorees, four All- Conference USA honorees, two C- USA All-Freshman Team honorees, one C-USA Defensive Player of the Year and one AVCA All- Region honorable mention player. Yerty s 4

5 The Yerty Account Coaches & Staff Hometown... Boring, Oregon High School... Sam Barlow High School...Reebok First Team All-American Alma Mater... Washington State, (secondary education)... University of Memphis, Dec MS - Sport and Leisure Commerce Playing Experience Washington State USA Olympic Developmental Team Collegiate Playing Honors All-American nominee Two-time Pac-10 All-Conference Pac-10 Honor Roll WSU record for kills, solo blocks & assisted blocks Coaching Background Univ. of Memphis - Head Coach (1996-present) Arizona - Assistant Coach (1995) Eastern Washington - Asst. Coach ( ) Chaired AVCA Policy and Procedures Committee Served on NCAA Gender Equity Committee in Currently a member of the Fellowship for Christian Athletes Coaches Board COACHING ACCOMPLISHMENTS 100th career win vs. Yale (Sept. 15, 2002) First 30-win season since 1990 (2003) Best Single Season Winning Percentage 30-6,.833 (2003) First-ever appearance in C-USA Finals (2003) Coached two Academic All-America honorees April Harriman, 2001 Heather Watts, 2003, 2004 Coached AVCA Honorable Mention All- American Heather Watts, 2004 Coached four All-Conference USA Honorees Amie Hamilton (Second Team, 2001) Brittany Barnett (Second Team, 2003) Tiara Gilkey (Third Team, 2003; Second Team 2004) Heather Watts (Third Team, 2003; First Team, 2004) Coached C-USA Defensive Player of the Year Amie Hamilton (1999) Coached C-USA Setter of the Year Heather Watts (2004) Coached C-USA Volleyball Scholar Athlete of the Year Heather Watts (2004) squads have also earned academic individual and team honors from the AVCA, while 19 of 20 players that have completed their eligibility have received their college diplomas. In just her second season at the helm of a young Tiger volleyball program, Yerty made one of the biggest turnarounds in the program s history. Never had a Tiger squad won less than 10 matches one year and finished well above.500 the next. Yerty s second-year squad did it. She guided the 1997 Tigers to a overall record, including a school-best 7-0 start. Not included in the overall record that season was a victory over the Australian National Team at the Montana State Tournament. The team also made a huge jump in the conference rankings with a 6-10 record that year. The Tigers were again gaining respect from their C-USA foes. After finishing dead last in the league in 1996, the Tigers improved to a fourth-place showing in the National Division the following season. Yerty s Tigers also made strides in the C-USA postseason tournament, winning their first-round meeting with UAB and advancing to the second round, where they dropped a 3-1 decision to topseeded and eventual NCAA participant Houston. That would not be the last time that Memphis put up a fight with the Cougars. In 1998, Yerty led her troops to their first win in school history over the University of Houston, and for the second-straight season, Memphis advanced to the second round of the C-USA Tournament. Yerty s Tigers finished the season with an overall record and a 6-10 record in conference. It was the first time since 1994 that a Tiger volleyball team had recorded back-to-back winning seasons. Memphis had its second All-Conference USA honoree in 2001 when senior Amie Hamilton earned second team accolades, the 5 Jace and WesLee Yerty first Tiger to earn an all-conference honor under Yerty and the first to do so since But it would not be as long a wait for the Tigers next All-Conference USA honor, as Memphis had three student-athletes named to the Conference USA All-Conference teams in Senior Brittany Barnett, who finished her career ranked third in school history with 1,349 kills, was named to the second team, while Heather Watts and Tiara Gilkey both earned third team honors. That trio of players obliterated the Tiger record book during a banner season. Watts, who set a single-season school record with 1,792 assists in 2003, raised the standard even higher in 2004 with 1,830 assists. For her stellar senior campaign, she garnered C-USA Setter of the Year and first team honors. Gilkey posted 521 kills en route to earning second team all-conference accolades. Five Tigers have surpassed the 1,000-career-kill mark under Yerty, including both Barnett and Gilkey during the 2003 season. Nancy Nellans is the latest to eclipse the 1,000-kill mark, reaching the milestone in A strong believer in the total welfare of the student-athlete, Yerty continues to stress academic excellence as well as athletic achievement. Heather Watts earned her third-straight Academic All-District first team honor in Watts became the program s second Academic All-America recipient, earning third team honors in 2003 and first team in Watts joined former Tiger April Harriman, who earned second team honors in 2000, as the program s Academic All-America honorees. Watts also earned ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American second team honors in 2004, before receiving an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.

6 Coaches & Staff In addition to individual student-athlete academic honors, Yerty-led teams have been recognized four times by the AVCA for their team GPAs. The 2003 Tiger team had a 3.4 GPA during the fall and a 3.2 during the spring and earned recognition from the governing body during the spring of Prior to becoming the Tigers head coach, Yerty was an assistant coach at the University of Arizona during the 1995 season where, among her on-court coaching duties, she also served as the recruiting coordinator. One of her recruiting classes at the University of Arizona was ranked in the top five in the nation by recruiting magazines. On the court, she worked closely with the squad s middle blockers as she helped lead the Wildcats to a overall record. She also supervised the academic study table and assisted with scheduling and travel, as well as working closely with camps and clinics. Yerty broke into the collegiate coaching ranks in 1992 when she accepted an assistant coaching position at Eastern Washington in Cheney, Wash. Yerty served under head coach Pamela Parks at EWU for three years, working closely with the middle blockers and serving as the recruiting coordinator. A strong believer in publicizing her programs, Yerty coordinated several game-day activities, including theme nights and an adopt-a-player program. She also participated in university fund-raising programs and assisted with various camps and clinics. Yerty s coaching background goes much deeper than the collegiate level. She, along with her husband Lee, founded the Northwest All-Star Volleyball Touring Camp in 1991, in which they managed and conducted in excess of 25 customized instructional clinics and camps for junior high and high school athletes and coaches. Two years later, Yerty founded and coached the New Balance Volleyball Club team in Spokane, Wash., for girls 16 and under. She directed that squad from , and then served as the head coach for one year of the Club Cactus Juniors Volleyball Club in Tucson, Ariz., for the 18-Elite age group. A seasoned club team coach, Yerty was selected as a representative on the Junior Olympic National Team selection committee, evaluating and selecting players for the elite squad at the Southern California tryout. Yerty is heavily involved in the community. Yerty is currently on the Board of Directors for the Memphis Junior Volleyball Club Program, and has held numerous free clinics and camps for church groups and elementary schools. She was also instrumental in bringing the USA and Russian Volleyball teams to the Elma Roane Fieldhouse for a widely-attended exhibition match in Yerty has given her time and dedication freely to such groups as the American Cancer Society, The Ronald McDonald House and the Girl Scouts of America. She is also serving a three-year term on the AVCA Coaches Committee and is chairing the Policy and Procedures Committee with the AVCA. Formerly Carrie Couturier, Yerty was a four-year standout as a middle blocker during her collegiate days at Washington State University. She was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman squad following the 1988 season when she set a school record with 69 solo blocks. Yerty continued to lead her squad and develop her skills through the next two years, and in her senior season, people starting taking notice. In 1991, she earned first team All-Pac-10 honors in her final collegiate season after helping the Cougars to a finish and a school-best fourth-place showing in the Pac-10. As a senior, she led the Pac-10 in hitting percentage (.333) and in service aces (55). She was third in the league in kills with 432 and ranked fourth with an average of 3.8 kills per game. An All-West Regional and All-America nominee, Yerty received an invitation to participate on the U.S. Olympic Developmental Team in San Diego in Not likely to be forgotten at WSU or even in the Pac-10, Yerty is currently second in school history in career kills (1,548), while holding the school marks in solo blocks (196) and block assists (431). In the Pac-10, Yerty was the league s all-time leading blocker with 617 total blocks, while also ranking first in all-time solo blocks (196). She was also fourth in career hitting percentage (.270) and fifth in all-time block assists with 431. Most recently, Yerty was 6 named to the Pac-10 All-Decade team, as well as the Washington State All-Decade team. At 6-2, Yerty s volleyball success began at an early age. A standout at Sam Bartow High School in Boring, Ore., she was named to the Reebok All-America team and was Oregon s Female Athlete of the Year in Yerty also played on the Portland Volleyball Club while in high school. Her squad is still the only club outside of California to ever win the Davis Volleyball Festival, which continues to rate as the largest women s athletic event in the world. A 1992 graduate of Washington State, Yerty earned her degree in Secondary Education. She then completed her graduate studies to earn her master s degree in Sport and Leisure Commerce from the University of Memphis in December of Born March 4, 1970, she is married to Lee Yerty, who is an assistant strength and conditioning coach at The University of Memphis. The couple and their two sons, WesLee and Jace, live in Cordova, Tenn.

7 Coaches & Staff AprilHARRIMAN Assistant Coach First Season Memphis, 2001 April Harriman begins her first season as assistant coach at Memphis. However, Harriman is certainly no stranger to head coach Carrie Yerty and the Memphis volleyball program. A former Memphis standout outside hitter for the Tigers from , Harriman garnered several honors on the volleyball court, including 2000 Academic All-District first team and 2000 second team Verizon Academic All- American accolades. She led the team with 494 kills as a senior, a mark that still ranks ninth on the program s singleseason kills list. She received the Elma Roane Award as Memphis top female athlete in The Orange County, Calif., native ranks 15th all-time in Memphis history with 1,017 kills. She is just one of four U of M volleyball players ever to record 30 kills in a match, slamming 30 kills in a match against CBU in She posted six 20-plus kill performances in her final campaign as a Tiger. As assistant coach, Harriman will work with the Tiger outside hitters with a dual focus on both offense and defense. Off the court, she will assume the responsibilities of recruiting coordinator. Harriman brings four years of college coaching experience to the program, after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach for former Tiger assistant Fiona Simmons at Lamar University. Prior to her two-year stint at Lamar, Harriman spent two seasons at Ohio University working on her master s degree. She served as the Bobcats volunteer assistant in 2001 before taking on full-time responsibilities the following season. Harriman also has four years of experience at the club level, coaching the Memphis Jr. s while playing at Memphis, and coaching for Spike Volleyball Club in Nashville, Tenn. She has also served as an instructor at several university camps. A standout on the court and in the classroom, Harriman was an eight-time Dean s List student and also earned 2000 Female Student-Athlete of the Year honors at Memphis. Harriman was also a four-time recipient of the Conference USA Commissioner s Medal. Harriman graduated from the University of Memphis Summa Cum Laude in 2001 with degrees in communications and Political Science. She completed her master s degree in Organizational Communication at Ohio University in the spring of Harriman is engaged to Gabriel Jauregui. The couple will marry January 15, Gabe is a special education teacher at Millington Middle School. The Harriman Account Hometown... Orange County, Calif. High School... Brethren Christian Alma Mater...Univ. of Memphis, (Communications & Political Science)...Ohio University, Spring MS- Organizational Communications Coaching Background Univ. of Memphis - Asst. Coach (2005) Lamar Univ. - Asst. Coach ( ) Ohio Univ. - Asst. Coach (2002) Ohio Univ. - Volunteer Asst. (2001) April Harriman (right) and fiancée Gabe Jauregui 7 Playing Experience Univ. of Memphis Collegiate Playing Honors 15th all-time in Memphis history with 1,017 kills 2000 Female Student-Athlete of the Year 2000 Elma Roane Award 2000 CoSIDA Academic All-American 2000 CoSIDA Academic First Team All-District

8 Coaches & Staff Travis Filar enters his first season as an assistant at Memphis. Filar s responsibilities include working with and training the Tiger middle hitters and focusing on defensive stategies. Off the court, Filar will serve as the Director of Volleyball Operations. In that capacity, he will be volleyball camp coordinator, as well as assist in recruiting, video tape exchange and video analysis. Filar comes to the Tiger program after spending the last two seasons at the University of Kentucky, where he served as a volunteer assistant during the 2003 and 2004 seasons. He served as the camp coordinator for the Wildcat program in summer of During his time at Kentucky, Filar worked full-time as a physical education instructor and boys and girls basketball coach at Trinity Christian Academy in Lexington, Ky. Prior to his two-year stint at UK, Filar Travis and Natalie Filar TravisFILAR Assistant Coach First Season Furman University, 2000 was the first assistant coach and assistant camp director at Furman University from Filar broke into the coaching ranks in 1998 at Greenville High (Greenville, S.C.), where he assisted the boys soccer squad. He then moved on to serve as the head junior varsity coach for volleyball and boys basketball at Eastside High School in Taylors, S.C. The Davidson, N.C., native has worked as the assistant volleyball clinician at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Girls Sports Camp at Gardner-Webb University, as well as serving as a court coach at volleyball camps at Charlotte and Davidson. Prior to beginning a career in coaching, Filar played two seasons of club volleyball at Furman, seeing action as a middle hitter. Filar comes from an athletic background. His father, John, was a successful high school basketball, volleyball and tennis coach in Louisville, Ky., and Charlotte, N.C. He was selected to resurrect the women s basketball program at Davidson College that was discontinued after the season. He served as the head coach at Davidson from , racking up 102 wins. He then spent the season at the University of Nebraska. His mother, Kay, played collegiate volleyball at Westminster College. Travis has one brother, Jesse (24), and a sister, Kaitlyn (21). Kaitlyn played two years of volleyball at the University of Georgia, before transferring to play a single-season at UAB. Filar earned his B.A. degree in Health and Exercise Science from Furman University in He is married to the former Natalie Muro. The couple resides in Memphis. Natalie was a four-year letterwinner in women s soccer at Furman University. A former midfielder, she received her B.A. degree in Health and Exercise Science from Furman in 2002 and continued her education at the University of Kentucky, where she earned her master s degree in Physical Therapy. The Filar Account Hometown...Davidson, N.C. High School...North Mecklenburg High Alma Mater.. Furman University, B.A. - Health and Exercise Science... South Carolina Physical Education... Teaching License (K-12 th grade) Coaching Background Univ. of Memphis - Asst. Coach (2005) Kentucky - Volunteer Asst. ( ) Kentucky - Camps coordinator (Summer 2004) Furman - Asst. coach ( ) Furman - Assistant Volleyball Camp Director ( ) Eastside High School (Taylors, S.C.) Head Coach JV volleyball (2000) Eastside High School (Taylors, S.C.) Head Coach JV Boy s basketball (2001) Greenville (S.C.) High School Volunteer Asst. Boy s soccer (1998) Gardner-Webb University Assistant volleyball clinician at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Girls Sports Camps (Summer ) Charlotte Volleyball camps Court Coach (2000, ) Davidson Volleyball camps Court Coach ( ) 8

9 AngelaMcCARTER Interim Marketing Director Angela McCarter enters her fourth year in the marketing and promotions department at the University of Memphis. She was named interim director in July. A native of Memphis, McCarter joined the staff from N.C. State University in Raleigh, N.C., where she was the assistant director of marketing and publications for Campus Recreation. At N.C. State, she was responsible for all of the marketing efforts for the program and implementing special events. Before spending two years with N.C. State, she worked in marketing and promotions for the University of Tennessee women s athletic department. During her time at UT, she was responsible for the marketing and promotion of basketball, rowing, soccer, softball, track and field and volleyball. McCarter graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2000 with a master s degree in Human Performance and Sports Studies and in 1998 with a bachelor s degree in Sport Management. Angela and her husband, Steven, also a native of Memphis, reside in Memphis. They have one daughter, Lainey, who was born on May 12, RayMULLINS Public Address Announcer Ray Mullins begins his eighth year as the public address announcer for the Tiger volleyball team. Mullins, who splits time with Chuck Roberts, is also the voice for the Tiger marching band, a post he has held for 16 years. Mullins graduated from the University of Memphis (then- Memphis State) in 1970 with a bachelor s degree in Radio, Television and Film Production. Mullins works as a service leader at Wachovia Bank, overseeing the operation of all Memphis and Southaven branches. He and his wife, Carolyn, have been married for 34 years and have three daughters, Kim (31), Amy (27) and Emily (25). LynnPARKES Associate Athletic Director/SWA Lynn Parkes is in her 22 nd year as the Senior Women s Administrator at the University of Memphis. In her role, she oversees seven intercollegiate sports, including women s basketball, volleyball, men s and women s track and field, men s and women s tennis and the newly constructed first-year softball, which begins play in Parkes also oversees the areas of compliance and student-athlete services. Coaches & Staff Prior to devoting full-time leadership to her associate athletics director role, Parkes spent 11 years as the head women s golf coach at Memphis. A native of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., Parkes is a 1973 graduate of the University of Alabama, where she was a member of the Crimson Tide women s golf team. An exceptional golfer, Parkes was a participant in the National Collegiate Championship Tournament in each of her final three years of college. Following graduation, she taught for two years at Loretta (Tenn.) High School as a physical education instructor. Parkes came to the University of Memphis in 1975 to complete her graduate degree in Physical Education and, at the same time, started the women s golf program. In addition to her administration of the women s sports programs, Parkes serves as compliance coordinator for the University of Memphis Athletic Department. As such, she is the liaison to Conference USA and the NCAA in adherence to the rules and regulations of the two organizations. She also served on the NCAA Task Force, which designed the recently approved restructure of the NCAA. A former member of the LPGA, Parkes served as chair of the NCAA Women s Golf Committee. She served as tournament director of the 1995 NCAA East Golf Regional and the 2000 NCAA Women s Basketball Mideast Regional Tournament, both hosted by Memphis. In 2004 Parkes chaired the NCAA Women s Basketball Committee, whose charge is the selection and conduct of the NCAA National Championship. ChuckROBERTS Public Address Announcer Chuck Roberts, a native of Memphis, is beginning his ninth year as the public address announcer for the Tiger volleyball team. Roberts, who is also the public address voice for the Tiger football, basketball, women s basketball and volleyball teams, graduated from Christian Brothers University in 1989 with a bachelor s degree in Business Administration and with an M.B.A. in Finance in Roberts owns Chuck Roberts Commercial Real Estate, which specializes in the sales and leasing of commercial and industrial property, and Timbeaux s on the Square, a fine dining steak and seafood restaurant on the Historic Square in Hernando, Miss. He and his wife, Mitzi, have two children, a daughter, Haleigh (3) and a son, Chase (1). DannySPATARO Marketing Assistant Danny Spataro begins his first year as a marketing assistant at the University of Memphis. A native of Chicago, Spataro earned his undergraduate degree in Management at Southern Illinois University in He is currently completing graduate studies at Central Michigan University, where he stands to receive his master s degree in Sports Administration in May

10 Coaches & Staff JamesARCHIBALD Student Manager James Archibald returns for his second season as a student manager for the Tiger volleyball team. Archibald was a member of the wrestling team and served as the girl s volleyball manager at Collierville High School in Collierville, Tenn. His father, Richard, also plays volleyball. Archibald is a sophomore, majoring in Marketing Management. SamCHAMBERS Student Manager Sam Chambers enters his third year as a student manager for the Tiger volleyball program. A senior History major with a Judaic Studies minor, Chambers is the son of former Tiger setter Becky Harden, who played from Chambers is a graduate of Munford High School in Munford, Tenn. A member of the National Honor Society and the American Technological Honor Society at Munford High, Chambers received several academic honors, including the Early Scholars and Knowledge Bowl Scholarships. NatashaPLATT Athletic Trainer Natasha Platt, MS, ATC, LAT, enters her first full season as an assistant athletic trainer at Memphis. Platt returned to the U of M training program in January of 2005 after spending the past year as an assistant athletic trainer at Alabama State University, where she assisted in the daily operations of the athletic training office and also oversaw the student trainers. Platt, who graduated from Memphis in 2000, handles day-do-day duties with Tiger volleyball squad and the Lady Tiger basketball team. Prior to joining the staff at Alabama State, Platt spent two years as a graduate assistant trainer at Southern Miss, where she completed her master s degree in Sports Administration in Platt has spent extensive time in the Memphis area, working in the athletic training field. She was a student athletic trainer under current Assistant Athletic Director for Support Services Eddie Cantler from , before interning with Dr. David Sisk at Baptist Sports Medicine in the spring of She also served as a physical therapy technician with Ellen Curry at Physiotherapy Associates in the spring of Platt also spent a year as a personal trainer at the Desoto Athletic Club in Olive Branch, Miss., before returning to graduate school for her master s degree. At Southern Miss, Platt was the athletic trainer for the women s soccer program. Platt is a native of Houston, Texas. LesleyTSCHUME Graduate Assistant Trainer Sam Chambers 10 Lesley Tschume, ATC, enters her second season as a student athletic trainer for the volleyball team and seventh season in the Memphis Athletic Training program. Tschume has assisted for three years with the football and women s soccer programs, while working with the baseball program for two years. Tschume graduated Summa Cum Laude from Memphis in December 2003 with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science. A native of Memphis, she is currently enrolled in the Exercise and Sport Science graduate program at the U of M and is on track to receive her master s degree in May Tschume will travel with the volleyball team and assist in its day-to-day responsibilities. She is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), Amercian College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and Southeastern Athletic Trainers Association (SEATA).

11 LeeYERTY Strength & Conditioning Lee Yerty begins his seventh season as a strength and conditioning coach and his sixth season as the Tiger volleyball strength coach. Yerty served a year as the administrative assistant for women s athletics before he was appointed to his new position. While in the administrative assistant position, Yerty was responsible for game management of the Tiger volleyball and Lady Tiger basketball squads. Before coming to Memphis, Yerty served as the assistant strength coach at Washington State from He then accepted the job as marketing director at Eastern Washington in Yerty was then elevated to assistant athletic director in 1993 before becoming the recruiting coordinator for volleyball in A native of Naches, Wash., Yerty is the husband of head coach Carrie Yerty. The two have two sons, WesLee and Jace, and reside in Cordova, Tenn. Coaches & Staff BrittanyBARNETT Strength & Conditioning Brittany Barnett begins her first season as the volleyball graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach. Barnett is no stranger to Tiger volleyball, as she excelled on the court at Memphis from Barnett returns to the U of M after a one-year stint in the professional volleyball circuit in Argentina, when she played Division I volleyball for Club Alsina in Los Toldos, Buenos Aires. A 2000 Conference USA All-Freshman Team selection, Barnett finished her career fourth on the Tigers all-time kills list with 1,349. She downed 520 kills as a senior en route to earning second team All-Conference USA honors. The Dallas, Texas, native served as the team captain her junior and senior campaigns and became the 15th Tiger in school history to post 1,000 career kills and digs. Barnett graduated from Memphis in August 2004 with a degree in Hospitality and Resort Management. She is currently pursuing her master s degree in Health and Sport Science with a concentration in Sport and Leisure Commerce. Elma Roane Fieldhouse Weight Center also outfitted with four Woodway competition training treadmills and two Precor elliptical machines, which present the Lady Tigers the finest options for cardiovascular training. The Roane Fieldhouse Center is the workout home for Tiger volleyball, women s basketball, golf, tennis and cross country. In addition, the Memphis soccer, softball and men s golf teams will also utilize the facility for summer and off-season training. The facility will be managed by Strength and Conditioning coach Lee Yerty, who has trained Division 1 athletes for 20 years. The most recent upgrade for the Tiger volleyball team is the Elma Roane Fieldhouse weight room. Located on the first floor of the Fieldhouse, the weight facility underwent a total facelift over the past summer. In the Spring of 2005, U of M President Dr. Shirley Raines, Athletic Director, R.C. Johnson and Associate AD Lynn Parkes backed the Fieldhouse weight center s transformation into one of the finest women s strength and conditioning facility in Division I. The Elma Roane Fieldhouse was exclusively equipped with Powerlift Olympic Platform Training Stations and weights; the Memphis women s athletic is offered the finest equipment on the market. The workout center is 11

12 2005 Outlook Tigers Look to Continue Winning Tradition in 2005 Memphis goes for seventh winning season in 10 years under Yerty Coming off its second-straight 25- win season, the Memphis volleyball program embarks on a new challenge life in the realigned Conference USA. Although some of the teams have changed, the goals remain the same for the 2005 Tigers squad. Our goal is to win all of our nonconference matches and to challenge for the Conference USA championship, said 10 th -year head coach Carrie Yerty. If you expect anything less, then you ll surely attain something less. However, this year s team has a different make-up. The Tigers will be a young squad at the setter position, but with core contributors at other positions returning, Memphis should have an opportunity to compete for wins both at home and on the road. I think that if we are playing well, we can compete with every team in the conference, Yerty stated. In order to accomplish this, the Tigers must capitalize on their ability to play together and put a premium on team chemistry. Memphis had a solid spring with several players gaining experience, and the Tigers are looking to build on that this fall. In addition, the Tigers return a veteran core that made critical contributions and developed solid team chemistry en route to a record in Memphis will need both as it enters play in the new Conference USA. I think that the new conference alignment is going to be exciting for our players, said Yerty. As far as where we fit in and who s going to be the top team, I don t know because I haven t had the opportunity to compete against some of the teams that have come in. Despite the loss of perennial league powers Louisville, Cincinnati and Marquette, Conference USA should remain equally as strong in volleyball as it has been in the past. With the addition of Rice, Marshall, UCF and SMU, Memphis still faces a tough task in its quest for a league title. The Tiger program, which has been picked to finish third overall in the C-USA preseason poll, has worked hard to establish itself as a team to beat in Conference USA. Although given such high respect, Yerty and her staff know that what the preseason polls say has little to do with where everyone finishes the year. A critical measure of the success of this year s team is how it recovers from the losses of seniors Heather Watts and Tiara Gilkey. Anytime you lose a four-year starter that has the work ethic and leadership abilities and athleticism that Heather Watts brought to our court, you are losing a lot, Yerty said. Over the course of the spring workouts, several players showed the ability to step into the huge footsteps of Watts. Although Watts will be difficult to replace, expect the Tiger offense to run smoothly and the court leadership to be at the same level. Most of the same can be said for Gilkey s loss. Gilkey, who was a dynamic attacker that provided crunchtime points, was Memphis s go-to player last season, so the Tigers will be more diverse offensively in Junior MELISSA NANCE, sophomore ASHLEY LIFORD and senior FEHI TUIVAI will take on more attacking responsibilities. In addition, COLETTE RAMIREZ, a transfer from Virginia Tech, will challenge for playing time. The 2005 quick-attack Tiger offense will also benefit from a stable passing game with veterans CHRISTEN CLAYTON and EMILY STECKEL at the libero spot. Leadership from the senior class has helped guide Memphis to 57 wins over the past two seasons and the 2005 campaign brings no exceptions. The Tigers will look to seniors KRISTEN HARDEE, NANCY NELLANS and Tuivai to provide guidance both on and off the court. 12 Nellans returns for her final season after being a starter for each of the last three campaigns. The South Bend, Ind., native has the ability to be a dynamic outside hitter and has matured on the court in terms of her ability to handle any set given to her. Tuivai has grown the most in terms of leadership. Look for the senior middle hitter to take on more of a leadership role. Yerty and her staff are hoping she will become more involved in the offense. Hardee had a great spring and emerged as a passer and a defender. One of the most explosive attackers on the team, Hardee is exciting to watch and is expected to make a sizeable contribution this year. Liberos The strongest position on the court for the Tigers will be the libero. With veterans Clayton and Steckel returning for their third season, Memphis s passing game and defense will be stable at all times. I m really excited about our liberos, said Yerty. Christen (Clayton) and Emily (Steckel) and are as experienced as any players on our team. They both have played in nearly every match of their careers. Both understand our offense and defense. Clayton and Steckel have improved in both areas defensively and a passer as well as a defender. They will be looked on to provide court leadership. Emily Steckel

13 Nancy Nellans Outside Hitters With the exception of Tiara Gilkey, Memphis returns everyone on the outside, led by Nellans. As one of the team s leading defenders, Nellans looks to take on more passing responsibilities in Liford, who returns for her sophomore season, has worked hard to improve her skills, and has trained, played and worked out all summer. After downing 305 kills as a freshman, expect her to be a major part of the offense. Also look for Ramirez to step in and contribute early. The Virginia Tech transfer will play either outside or right side for the Tigers. Middle Hitters The Memphis middle hitters may be the surprise group of the team this year. With Tuivai and sophomore Shelby Burton returning, Yerty expects a larger contribution from the middles. Tuivai led the 2004 team in blocks, and with her becoming more comfortable with the offense, she will be looked to do the same in According to Yerty, Burton could be one of Conference USA s best middles in terms of attacking ability. We focused all spring on our blocking with our middles, so we are hoping to see improvement there, said Yerty. Extensive contributions are also expected from Nance, who will serve as team captain for the second-consecutive year. Setters The setter position is perhaps the most uncertain for Memphis. HRISTINA SLANCHEVA, who has served as Watts s backup the past two seasons, has the opportunity to come in and earn the starting position as setter. Anytime you get to have the opportunity to watch and train with a setter like Heather Watts, you are going to improve just by her level of commitment, Yerty said. But for the Tigers to excel under Slancheva s leadership, the Bulgarian native must focus and come ready to play 110 percent every day. Freshman LAURA COTE, who saw action at setter for the Canadian Junior National team, will also challenge for the starting setter position. Newcomers Memphis welcomes five newcomers to the 2005 squad in Ramirez and freshmen SARAH BURY, Cote, KORI SMITH and REBEKAH STRICKLAND. Ramirez comes to Memphis from a high level of play and she is one of the most competitive players on the team. She has solid passing skills and should be able to contribute as a primary passer. The highly-touted Canadian duo of Bury and Cote are expected to make significant contributions to the program this year. Cote has been playing volleyball non-stop the past year, seeing action for her high school and club squads as well as for Canada in international play. A versatile player, Cote could work into the starting rotation at setter or libero. She is an aggressive and dynamic defender who is a great leaper and has a good sense for blocking. Bury adds a 6-2 frame to the front row. She is a dynamic attacker who has the ability to play both the front and back row. She will add depth to the middle hitting position. The Tiger staff is excited to have Smith and Strickland on the team. A solid passer and tough server, Smith can play all three defensive positions. Look for Smith to take this year to learn from Clayton and Steckel and get comfortable with Memphis s style of play so that she can contribute in the future. Strickland is a very good blocker who brings height to the front row. She has Melissa Nance Outlook Christen Clayton a natural sense for blocking and will be trained on the right side. Look for her to use this year to learn the offense and defense and adjust to the speed of the college game. Coaching Staff Along with entering a realigned C- USA, the Memphis volleyball program welcomes a new coaching staff. Former Tiger standout April Harriman returns to her alma mater, and Travis Filar also comes aboard as an assistant. I am excited about my staff, said Yerty. I am excited to have April back. She has four years of coaching experience at the Division I level, and she is very confident and secure in her training ability. Travis is a great motivator. He comes to us with three years of Division I coaching experience. He has a great work ethic. This is going to be the best staff that we ve had. We all complement each other very well and I look forward to working with them everyday C-USA Preseason Poll 1. Rice (25-5, 12-1 WAC in 2005) 2. Marshall (22-11, 11-5 MAC) 3. Memphis (27-10, 9-4 C-USA) T4. Houston (11-21, 5-8 C-USA) T4. SMU (14-14, 5-8 WAC) 6. Tulane (17-12, 6-7 C-USA) 7. Tulsa (17-10, 5-8 WAC) 8. UCF (8-15, 5-5 Atlantic Sun) 9. UTEP (10-15, 2-11 WAC) 10. Southern Miss (7-20, 2-11 C-USA) 11. East Carolina (11-18, 5-8 C-USA) 12. UAB (1-24, 0-13 C-USA)

14 2005 Roster Roster Breakdown By Class Seniors (3): Kristen Hardee, Nancy Nellans, Fehi Tuivai Juniors (5): Christen Clayton, Melissa Nance, Colette Ramirez, Hristina Slancheva, Emily Steckel Sophomores (2): Shelby Burton, Ashley Liford Freshmen (4): Sarah Bury, Laura Cote, Kori Smith, Rebekah Strickland By State California (2): Colette Ramirez, Emily Steckel Indiana (2): Melissa Nance, Nancy Nellans Tennessee (2): Kori Smith, Rebekah Strickland Texas (4): Shelby Burton, Christen Clayton, Kristen Hardee, Ashley Liford Washington (1): Fehi Tuivai By Country US (11): Shelby Burton, Christen Clayton, Kristen Hardee, Ashley Liford, Melissa Nance, Nancy Nellans, Colette Ramirez, Kori Smith, Emily Steckel, Rebekah Strickland, Fehi Tuivai. Canada (2): Sarah Bury, Laura Cote Bulgaria (1): Hristina Slancheva By Height 5 7 (2): Christen Clayton, Emily Steckel 5 8 (1): Laura Cote 5 10 (2): Nancy Nellans, Hristina Slancheva 5 11 (2): Kristen Hardee, Melissa Nance 6 0 (5): Shelby Burton, Ashley Liford, Colette Ramirez, Fehi Tuivai 6 2 (1): Sarah Bury 6 3 (1): Rebekah Strickland By Position Libero/DS (3): Christen Clayton, Kori Smith, Emily Steckel Middle Blocker (5): Shelby Burton, Sarah Bury, Melissa Nance, Rebekah Strickland, Fehi Tuivai Outside Hitter (4): Kristen Hardee, Ashley Liford, Nancy Nellans, Colette Ramirez Setter (2): Laura Cote, Hristina Slancheva Numerical Roster NO NAME POS HT YR HOMETOWN/LAST SCHOOL 1 Emily Steckel Lib/DS 5-8 Jr. Santa Clarita, Calif./Hart HS 3 Hristina Slancheva S 5-11 Jr. Sophia, Bulgaria/First English 4 Ashley Liford OH 5-11 So. San Antonio, Texas/James Madison 5 Laura Cote S 5-8 Fr. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Can./ Aden Bowman Collegiate 7 Fehi Tuivai MB 6-1 Sr. Kent. Wash./Eastern Washington 8 Shelby Burton MB 6-1 So. San Antonio, Texas/Holmes 9 Nancy Nellans OH 5-11 Sr. South Bend, Ind./St. Joseph 10 Melissa Nance MB 6-2 Jr. Frankfort, Ind./Clinton Prairie 11 Christen Clayton Lib/DS 5-8 Jr. Houston, Texas/Clear Lake 12 Kori Smith Lib/DS 5-6 Fr. Covington, Tenn./Covington HS 15 Rebekah Strickland MB 6-3 Fr. Germantown, Tenn./Houston HS 18 Sarah Bury MB 6-2 Fr. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Can./ Aden Bowman Collegiate 20 Colette Ramirez OH 6-0 R-Jr. Valencia, Calif/Virginia Tech 24 Kristen Hardee OH 5-11 Sr. Sante Fe, Texas/Sante Fe Alphabetical Roster NO NAME POS HT YR HOMETOWN/LAST SCHOOL 8 Shelby Burton MB 6-1 So. San Antonio, Texas/Holmes 18 Sarah Bury MB 6-2 Fr. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Can./ Aden Bowman Collegiate 11 Christen Clayton Lib/DS 5-8 Jr. Houston, Texas/Clear Lake 5 Laura Cote S 5-8 Fr. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Can./ Aden Bowman Collegiate 24 Kristen Hardee OH 5-11 Sr. Sante Fe, Texas/Sante Fe 4 Ashley Liford OH 5-11 So. San Antonio, Texas/James Madison 10 Melissa Nance MB 6-2 Jr. Frankfort, Ind./Clinton Prairie 9 Nancy Nellans OH 5-11 Sr. South Bend, Ind./St. Joseph 20 Colette Ramirez OH 6-0 R-Jr. Valencia, Calif/Virginia Tech 3 Hristina Slancheva S 5-11 Jr. Sophia, Bulgaria/First English 12 Kori Smith Lib/DS 5-6 Fr. Covington, Tenn./Covington HS 1 Emily Steckel Lib/DS 5-8 Jr. Santa Clarita, Calif./Hart HS 15 Rebekah Strickland MB 6-3 Fr. Germantown, Tenn./Houston HS 7 Fehi Tuivai MB 6-1 Sr. Kent. Wash./Eastern Washington Managers: Trainers: Pronunciation Guide Emily Steckel...STECK-ul Hristina Slancheva... WRIST-tina SWAN-cha-vuh Ashley Liford... LIE-ford Laura Cote... Co-TAY Fehi Tuivai... FAY-he TWO-iv-vay Sarah Bury... BURR-ee 14 Sam Chambers, James Archibald Natasha Platt, Lesley Tschume (Graduate Asst. Trainer)