Temple Edges Memphis in Five Set Nailbiter

Courtesy of Temple Athletics
Courtesy of Temple Athletics

It was another tightly contested match for the Owls Friday night at McGonigle as Temple went on to defeat the Memphis Tigers in 5 sets.

The Owls were led by juniors Irem Asci and Izzy Rapacz; both scored a combined 35 kills, and also notched a combined 33 digs. Asci also managed to notch a pair of aces as well.

Temple got off to a slow start in the first set, dropping the set 17-25. Part of their struggles would be the alarming 13 errors that the Owls committed in the first set.

The Owls responded by taking the next two sets. In the second set, the Owls dominated the set, winning 25-13. Temple cut their errors to just five, and would score 18 kills.

The third set was tightly contested; a set that saw six ties and two lead changes. With the match being tied at 9, Temple went on a 3 point run that put the Owls ahead by 3 points. Memphis closed the gap and eventually tied the game at 17. After two ties ensued again in the set, the owls would take a 24-22 lead after a pair of blocks from Rapacz and Junior Janine Simmons. After a kill from Memphis, a Tiger error would help Temple clinch the set.

Set four was dominated by Memphis. After opening a 16-9 lead on Temple, the Tigers blew the seven point lead which would allow Temple to battle back within four points. Ultimately, Temple’s comeback effort would fall short and Memphis claimed the set 25-16.

The fifth and final set was a nail bitter, with 9 ties and 6 lead changes. It would take a combined eight extra points for Temple to clinch the set 20-18 after a kill from Senior Tyler Davis.

The win would mark Temple’s 16th win overall, and 9th win in the American Athletics Conference.

Temple’s next game will be Fri, Nov. 4, at Houston.

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