PREVIEW: Volleyball Travels to Temple, UConn
10/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
HOUSTON â€" Houston Volleyball wraps up the first round of American Athletic Conference play this weekend as the Cougars travel to New England for two road matches.
Houston (14-6, 4-4 American) is set to face Temple (15-5, 6-2 American) on Friday at 6 p.m. (CT) in Philadelphia, Pa. The Cougars head north to Storrs, Conn., for a noon match vs. UConn (9-10, 3-5 American) on Sunday.
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QUICK HITS ON HOUSTON
« Houston Volleyball enters the weekend off a 0-2 week at home. The Cougars fell in five to Memphis after starting 2-0 heading into the half. Houston dropped three straight to Cincinnati on Sunday during the Dig Pink Match.
« Senior libero Olivia O'Dell had another record-setting performance last weekend as she tallied 32 digs in a three-set match. O'Dell's performance broke the school and conference records and tied the nation's leading performance of the season.
« O'Dell was named conference Defensive Player of the Week for the second straight week and fourth time this season.
« Houston opened the 2015 season 10-2 heading into conference play. This is the best start since the 1989 season when the program opened 12-2 leading into the Southwest Conference season.
« Houston posted a record of 13-3 after 16 matches for the first time since the 1994 season. The 1994 team went on the win the Southwest Conference regular season, the SWC tournament and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight.
TEMPLE OWLS
Temple (15-5, 6-2 American) enters the match off a 1-1 weekend. The Owls dropped a five-set match to travel partner UConn on Wednesday in Storrs, Conn., before picking up a 3-1 win over wild card East Carolina on Sunday. Temple ranks second in the conference standings behind SMU.
• Series Record: UH trails, 2-3
• Last Meeting: Nov. 28, 2014 - Temple 3, UH 1
UCONN HUSKIES
UConn (9-10, 3-5 American) welcomes Houston on Sunday after a two-match win streak last week. The Huskies took two five-set wins over Temple and East Carolina last weekend.
• Series Record: UH leads, 3-1
• Last Meeting: Nov. 26, 2014 - UConn 3, UH 2
DIG IT OUT - OLIVIA O'DELL
Senior Olivia O'Dell jumped straight to the top of the record books and national stat leaderboards in back-to-back weeks this season.
O'Dell earned her seventh league award and fourth Defensive Player of the Week honor this week after she posted a record-breaking 32 digs in a three-set match vs. Cincinnati on Sunday. She tied the nation's best in that category.
She also set a new school and conference record with 47 digs in a five-set win over Tulane on Wednesday. She currently leads the nation for most digs in a single match (five sets).
O'Dell has totaled 471 digs, averaging 6.04 digs per set. With her season average (6.04 digs per set), O'Dell moves into second in the record books for single season records. She moved up to top 10 nationally in both categories. She has tallied 20+digs in 12 matches and double-digit dig performances in all 20 matches this season. O'Dell has also reached 30+ digs in three matches this season.
National Rank | Category | Conf. Rank |
2nd | Digs per set (6.04) | 1st |
6th | Total Digs (471) | 1st |
NEWCOMER STUD
Freshman outside hitter Brookah Palmer has been a great six-rotation addition for the Cougars. She has posted 20+kills in five matches, double-digit kills in 19 matches and has recorded eight double-doubles so far this season.
Palmer was named the first Offensive Player of the Week for the 2015 season following her outstanding opening weekend.
National Rank | Category | Conf. Rank |
49th | Attacks per set (11.08) | 1st |
19th | Kills per set (4.35) | 1st |
18th | Kills SG Highs (339) | 1st |
18th | Points (385.5) | 1st |
20th | Points Per Set (4.94) | 1st |
34th | Total Attacks (864) | 2nd |
18th | Total Kills (339) | 1st |
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Volleyball on Twitter @UHCougarVB and "Like" /HoustonCougarVolleyball on Facebook. Houston Volleyball is now on Istagram as well, UHCougarVB.
SHASTA PASS
The Houston Fan Experience Headquarters is proud to offer the Shasta Pass for the 2015-16 athletic season. For just $50, Cougar fans can purchase one Shasta Pass, which allows season-long general admission entrance to all Houston Women's Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Softball home games.
The Shasta Pass offers Houston fans a substantial savings as single-game tickets start at $8 for all four sports. Fans can save $126 alone during the Houston Volleyball and Soccer seasons. To purchase a Shasta Pass, CLICK HERE.
JOIN POINT HOUSTON CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Volleyball program by joining the Point HOUSTON Club. To find out more information about the Point HOUSTON Club, visit UHCougars.com or call Cougar Price at (713) 743-GOUH
