Balanced Attack Leads to Houston Win

BEAUMONT, Texas – The University of Houston Volleyball team extended its winning streak to five, as the Cougars defeated Lamar, 3-1 (25-21, 23-25, 25-16, 25-16) on Tuesday night.

With the win, the Cougars (5-4) remain undefeated on the road, having won their past five games away from the Fertitta Center. In the win over the Cardinals (4-3), three different players recorded double-digit digs, while a pair of Cougars surpassed the 10-kill mark for Houston.

Coming off an American Offensive Player of the Week accolade, freshman Abbie Jackson continued to make her presence felt on the court, slamming home a match-high 20 kills and posting 12 digs, marking the third double-double of her career.

Junior setter Abby Irvine finished the contest leading all players with 40 helpers and tacked on 10 digs as well for her third double-double of the season. She has eclipsed the 40-assist plateau in each of her past five matches.

Defensively, senior libero Katie Karbo rounded out the list of Cougars who posted 10 or more digs, recording a match-high 32. Senior outside hitter Megan Duncan finished the night with 10 kills, having now reached that mark in three of her last four contests.

Houston 3, Lamar 1
Set 1
After the match began with the two teams trading blows, Houston was able to build itself a three-point edge thanks to a thundering kill from Jackson. Once the Cardinals pulled to within a score, Jackson slammed home another kill to push the Cougars' lead back to a pair at 16-14. As Houston started to pull away, Duncan put down her third kill of the frame to stretch the lead to six, forcing Lamar to call a timeout, but the deficit was too much to overcome, as Houston claimed the first set, 25-21.

Set 2
With the Cougars holding a slim advantage to start things off, a long rally that lasted nearly a minute went in favor of Houston, giving the Cougars momentum. When Houston held a 16-12 lead midway through the set, it was Irvine who continued to do what she does best, having led all players with 19 assists to that point. Once the Cougars brought their lead to six at 20-14, the Cardinals stormed back to finish out the set on an 11-3 run to tie the match score at one, having taken the second frame, 25-23.

Set 3
Despite Lamar opening the third with a three-point edge, Houston managed to climb itself back into it thanks to an ace from Jackson that gave the Cougars a 13-12 lead. At that point, there was no looking back for Houston, as a 12-4 run to close out the set, which was capped off by a monster slam from freshman middle blocker Rachel Tullos, gave the Cougars the 25-16 set win and a 2-1 match lead.

Set 4
Jackson's second ace of the night forced Lamar to take a timeout early in the set, trailing 5-1. With Houston maintaining its four-point edge midway through the fourth, Duncan stretchded the lead to six with her 10^th kill of the night, making the score 18-12. Lamar called another timeout as a result, but there was too much energy on Houston's side, as the Cougars cruised to the 25-16 set win to cement the 3-1 match victory.

UP NEXT
Houston continues its 11-match road trip with a pair of contests in Waco, Texas, partaking in the Baylor Invitational against No. 5 Baylor and Tennessee. The Cougars will square up against the Bears on Thursday at 7 p.m. before matching up with the Lady Vols on Friday at 3 p.m.

NEW GAMEDAY PROCEDURES
Those looking to watch the Cougars in action in 2019 are now advised to park in the Stadium Garage on Holman Street as well as Lot 16B on the southeast corner of Elgin and Cullen in front of Moore's School of Music.

Fans can park in both areas for $5, which will be open two hours before first serve. On days where other events are occurring on campus, $5 parking lots will still be available at locations to be determined later.

To enter the Fertitta Center, doors will only be open at the Holman Street entrances, where fans can purchase single-game tickets for as low as $5. Fans can buy tickets in advance now by either clicking here or calling (713) GO-COOGS.

Along with the list of prohibited items, also new to Houston Volleyball fans in 2019 is a Clear Bag Policy, which is being incorporated to help provide a safer environment for the public and to expedite fan entry into the Fertitta Center. The UH Clear Bag Policy strictly limits the size and types of bags that are permitted into the Fertitta Center.

Items such as backpacks, large bags and diaper bags are not permitted. Fans are strongly encouraged to not bring any bags. However, the following will be permitted:

Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12"
One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar)
A small clutch purse no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" with or without a handle or strap. These small clutches are subject to search.
An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at the entrance by arena personnel.

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.

– UHCougars.com –

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Abbie Jackson

Megan Duncan

Kendall Haywood

Isabel Theut

Players Mentioned

Megan Duncan

Abby Irvine

Abbie Jackson

Katie Karbo

Rachel Tullos

Players Mentioned

Megan Duncan

Abby Irvine

Abbie Jackson

Katie Karbo

Rachel Tullos

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