University of Houston
Cincinnati (C-USA Tournament)
No. 8 Houston Upsets No. 1 Cincinnati, 3-1
11/22/2003 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 22, 2003
NEW ORLEANS - No. 8 Houston captured a 3-1 upset over No. 1 Cincinnati in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Volleyball Tournament on Saturday at Fogelman Arena. Only the second time in tournament history has the No. 1 seed not advanced to the semifinals. In 1997, ninth-seeded Tulane upset No. 1 USF in the quarterfinals. The Cougars (12-18) now advance to the semifinals for the first time since the 2000 C-USA Tourney, where they will take on fourth-seeded Memphis at 7 p.m. on Sunday.
"This was a great match for us," said Houston head coach Bill Walton. "Our outside hitters came through for us tonight. Defensively, Jaci (Gonzalez) was everywhere for us. She was digging every ball and was all over the court. We definitely have to maintain our intensity against Memphis on Sunday. They are playing with great confidence and have an outstanding team."
Houston took a two-game lead, posting a stellar .415 attack percentage in the second game. However, Cincinnati came back in the third game with C-USA Player of the Year Julie DuPont fired away six kills for a .308 attack percentage. In the fourth game, each team battled back and fourth, before Houston took a six-point lead. Loure Dews came through, firing away six kills to give the Cougars a 3-1 victory.
Dewes finished the game with 12 kills, while Kelly McAnelly led the Cougar offense with 27 kills. Gonzalez posted a match-high 32 digs, missing the tournament record by only three digs.
DuPont led the Bearcats with 18 kills, and Rachel Torblaa followed with 14 kills, while hitting .400 for the match.
The semifinals of the C-USA Tournament are now set. No. 2 Louisville, who defeated TCU in Friday's quarterfinals, will take on No. 5 Marquette at 5 p.m. (CST) on Sunday. No. 4 Memphis, after claiming a 3-1 victory over host Tulane, takes on No. 8 Houston.
2003 C-USA Volleyball Tournament
Saturday, Nov. 22
Match Eight
(8) Houston 30 31 23 30(1) Cincinnati 27 29 30 22
