University of Houston
Temple
Houston Drops Heartbreaker to Temple
10/1/2017 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Volleyball program rallied from a 2-0 deficit but ultimately fell 3-2 (18-25, 20-25, 25-18, 28-26, 13-15) on Sunday afternoon inside Athletics/Alumni Center.
With the decision, the Cougars fall to 5-7 on the season on 1-3 in American Athletic Conference play, while the Owls improve to 7-5 overall and 3-1 in league action.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
After Houston opened the match with a 4-2 lead, Temple rallied to tie things up at 6-6. From there, both teams battled as the Owls held a 12-11 lead before going on a 4-0 run. The lead proved too much to overcome as the Cougars fell 25-18 in the opening set.
Set 2
In the second set, both teams battled to a 20-20 tie. Unfortunately, Temple closed out the set on a 5-0 run to take a 25-20 win and 2-0 advantage at intermission.
Set 3
Momentum swung in favor of Houston in the third set. Tied 8-8, the Cougars went on a 7-1 run, highlighted by two blocks and a kill from senior middle blocker Brianna Gardner, to take a 15-9 advantage. Houston went to lead by as much as seven points en route to a 25-18 victory to keep the match alive.
Set 4
Fighting to force a winner-take-all set, the Cougars edged Temple, 28-26, in the fourth set. Both teams pulled even 19 times and swapped the lead at seven points before a kill from sophomore outside hitter Megan Duncan and Owl attack error ended the set.
Set 5
With Houston leading 13-10 in the decisive set, Temple closed the match on a 5-0 run to secure the 3-2 victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Senior setter Keandra McCardell posted her first double-double of the season and 30th of her career with a 25-assist, 12 dig effort. With 25 assists, she also moved into sixth all-time at Houston with 2,840 career assists, passing Donna Sellen (2,822; 1999-2002).
• Duncan led Houston with a season-high 16 kills, her fifth time to lead the team on the season with all coming in the last six matches.
• Freshman outside hitter Silvia Pertens (career high) and redshirt junior middle blocker Chenelle Walker (season high) recorded 13 kills apiece. Walker added three blocks (one solo, two assisted).
• Senior outside hitter Brianna Lynch finished with 11 kills.
• Senior outside hitter Sarah Afflerbaugh finished with 11 digs and seven kills, while Gardner tallied nine kills and a team-best four blocks and two service aces.
• Freshman setter Abby Irvine recorded 32 assists and seven digs.
• Defensively, libero Katie Karbo recorded a match-high 22 digs, her ninth time to lead all players in digs on the season.
• The Cougars recorded seven blocks as a team.
• Despite being outhit .259-.240, Houston out-killed Temple, 71-64.
UP NEXT
The Cougars will continue play in The American and close their homestand with matches against Memphis (Oct. 6) and Wichita State (Oct. 8) inside Athletics/Alumni Center.
QUOTABLES
SHASTA PASS
The Houston Athletics Ticket Office is once again proud to offer the Shasta Pass for the 2017-18 season. For just $80, Cougar fans can purchase one Shasta Pass, which allows season-long general admission entrance to all Houston Volleyball, Soccer, Women's Basketball and Softball home games.
The Shasta Pass offers Houston fans a substantial saving as single-game tickets start at $5 for all four sports. To purchase a Shasta Pass, call 713-GO-COOGS or Click Here.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Volleyball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarVB, and "Like" UHCougarVB on Facebook.
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.
