University of Houston
$ Rice
Cougars Beat Rival Rice and UL-Lafayette to Win Invitational
9/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 7, 2002
HOUSTON, Texas - The University of Houston volleyball team improved its record to 7-0, defeating the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and cross-town rival Rice University in the final day of the Crowne Plaza/Rice Invitational.
Houston's Jenny Tanneberger was named the 2002 Crowne Plaza/Rice Invitational Most Valuable Player, while setter Donna Sellen and outside hitter Jane Anne Karasek were named to the All-tournament team.
The Cougars, who were 16-11 last season, dominated the Ragin' Cajuns (4-2) in three games 30-22, 30-25 and 30-28. Five hours later, the Cougars defeated the Owls (3-5) in front of a 500+ crowd at Autry Court in four close sets -- 30-25, 26-30, 30-28 and 30-28. The win completes the 2002 Houston trifecta of victories over Rice following football and soccer wins last week.
All-Conference USA Preseason Team selection Tanneberger led the Cougars with 18 kills, five blocks and no errors against the Ragin' Cajuns. She posted 23 kills and four digs for a .526 hitting percentage against the Owls. Tanneberger is leading the team in kills (134) and has already racked up a .374 hitting percentage.
Outside hitter Karasek added 23 kills, 10 digs and three service aces on the day. Loure Dews set a personal career-high with 11 kills against Rice, contributing 16 total on the day from the middle hitter spot.
Senior setter Donna Sellen also had two solid matches, contributing 43 assists, seven digs, four kills and two service aces in the first match, and 53 assists and 13 digs in the Rice contest. Freshman libero Jaci Gonzalez led the Cougar defense with 25 digs on the day for a seven-match total of 109.
UH will host Lamar in their home opener Tuesday, September 10, at 7:30 p.m. at Hofheinz Pavilion. The Cougars defeated the Cardinals earlier this season in the final match of the Lamar Cardinal Classic in Beaumont, Texas.
