Preview: vs. Memphis*/Wichita State*
10/4/2017 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Volleyball program continues American Athletic Conference play and closes its four-match homestand with a 7 p.m. contest against Memphis on Friday and noon tilt with No. 24 Wichita State on Sunday.
| AT THE NET | ||
Friday, Oct. 6 | • 7 p.m. | Houston vs. Memphis* Athletics/Alumni Center | | |
Sunday, Oct. 8 | • 12 p.m. | Houston vs. No. 24 Wichita State* Athletics/Alumni Center | | |
QUICK HITS
• The Cougars, who are 5-7 overall and 1-3 in The American, are coming off a 1-1 week, sweeping UConn on Friday before dropping a 3-2 heartbreaker to Temple on Sunday.
• Against UConn, Houston picked up three straight 25-22 set wins for their first win in The American. Sophomore outside hitter Megan Duncan led the Cougars with a season-high 15 kills. On Sunday, she bettered her season high with 16 kills against Temple. In averaging 3.88 kills per set, Duncan was named to The American Weekly Honor Roll. The conference honor is the first of her career.
• Against Temple, 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, McCardell moved into sixth all-time at Houston with 2,840 career assists, passing Donna Sellen (2,822; 1999-2002).
• Houston leads The American and ranks 19th in the country in service aces per set (1.68) and 32nd in opponent hitting percentage (.162).
• Sophomore libero Katie Karbo ranks second in the league and 17th in the NCAA in digs per set (5.40). Karbo (0.32), senior outside hitter Sarah Afflerbaugh (0.32) and senior middle blocker Brianna Gardner (0.30) rank eighth, ninth and 10th in The American in aces per set, respectively. Freshman Abby Irvine ranks third among freshmen in assists per set (5.96).
• The Cougars, who are 26-56 all-time in The American, are 25-15 (Sets: 89-61) all-time and are 12-5 (Sets: 42-19) when hosting the Tigers. Houston is 2-1 all-time (Sets: 6-4) and 0-1 (Sets: 0-3) when hosting the Shockers. Sunday's meeting marks Houston's first with Wichita State as a conference foe.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Memphis
• The Tigers enter Friday with a 0-4 conference record and 7-9 overall mark.
• Junior Kelsea Bivins leads Memphis with 2.72 kills per set, while sophomore Brianna Kadiku averages 1.10 blocks per set. Senior Faith Myers averages 6.65 assists per set. Freshman Alyssa Kronberg ranks second among freshmen in The American with 4.43 digs per set.
• Head Coach April Jauregui is in her 10th year at the helm of the Tigers.
• Memphis was tabbed 10th in The American Preseason Coaches' Poll.
No. 24 Wichita State
• The Shockers, who visit Tulane on Friday, are 4-0 in league play and 12-3 overall on the season. Wichita State has only dropped two sets in The American.
• The Shockers lead The American and rank in the top 30 in the nation in hitting percentage (25th, .267), kills per set (26th, 14.02) and assists per set (30th, 13.13).
• Senior Emily Hiebert leads The American in assists per set (10.74), while freshman Giorgia Civita holds the conference's top mark in digs per set (5.58). Senior Abbie Lehman is third in the league in blocks per set (1.21) and ninth in kills per set (3.06).
• Wichita State is under the direction of 17-year Head Coach Chris Lamb.
• The Shockers were the preseason favorite in The American Preseason Coaches' Poll.
UP NEXT
The Cougars will continue play in The American with visits to Cincinnati on Oct. 13 and East Carolina on Oct. 15.
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.
