PREVIEW: Volleyball Set to Host Tulsa, SMU
9/28/2016 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Volleyball team will continue American Athletic Conference play with two home matches hosting Tulsa in a 7 p.m. match on Friday and SMU in a 1 p.m. tilt on Sunday inside Athletics/Alumni Center.
The Cougars (5-8, 0-2 American) enter Friday looking to snap a four-match losing streak. Houston fell to both Yale and host Rice in straight sets in the Rice Adidas Invite II (Sept. 17) to close out non-conference play and have since opened league play with 3-0 and 3-1 losses at UConn (Sept. 23) and Temple (Sept. 25).
| Match Breakdown | ||
Friday, Sept. 30 | • 7:00 p.m. | Houston vs. Tulsa | | |
Sunday, Oct. 2 | • 1:00 p.m. | Houston vs. SMU | | |
QUICK HITS
• The Cougars, who are 25-35 all-time in American play, trail Tulsa 7-14 (Sets: 33-45) in the all-time series and are 4-6 (Sets: 20-20) when facing the Golden Hurricane at home. Likewise, Houston trails SMU 12-15 (Sets: 50-52), but is 7-6 (Sets: 26-20) against the Mustangs at home.
• Houston leads the American Athletic Conference and ranks 20th in the country with 1.68 aces per set, also ranking 52nd with 84 total aces.
• Freshman libero Katie Karbo ranks fourth in the American Athletic Conference averaging 4.32 digs per set.
• Friday's match will serve as "Resident Life Night" with free t-shirts for the first 100 resident life members and free pizza for the first 100 students overall. Sunday's match is "Shasta's Kids Club Day" with free admission and a Houston Cougar lunch box for members with their ID. Members will also be able to stand with the team during the national anthem. Parents of members can buy discounted tickets for $3.
OPPONONENT BREAKDOWN
Tulsa
2016 Overall Record: 12-2, 1-1 American
Letterwinners Returning:/Lost 11/4
Starters Returning/Lost: 5+Libero/1
Head Coach: Ryan Wills
Record at School: 49-28 (3rd Season)
Career Record: Same
All-Time Series: Houston trails, 7-14 (Sets: 33-45)
Last Meeting: 2015 (W, 3-0)
SMU
2016 Overall Record: 9-5, 2-0 American
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 8/4
Starters Returning/Lost: 3+Libero/3
Head Coach: Lisa Seifert
Record at School: 345-283 (21st Season)
Career Record: Same
All-Time Series: Houston trails, 12-15 (Sets: 50-52)
Last Meeting: 2015 (L, 1-3)
NEXT SERVE
Following Sunday's match, the Cougars will continue conference play with two road matches visiting UCF (Oct. 7) and USF (Oct. 9).
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Volleyball on Twitter @UHCougarVB and "Like" /HoustonCougarVolleyball on Facebook. Houston Volleyball is now on Instagram as well at UHCougarVB.
SHASTA PASS
The Houston Athletics Ticket Office is proud to offer the Shasta Pass for the 2016-17 athletic season. For only $80, 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 $5 for all four sports. 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 Pride at (713) 743-GOUH.
