Karbo Reaches Milestone as Houston Splits Doubleheader

LUBBOCK, Texas – University of Houston senior libero Katie Karbo became the third player in program history to surpass the 2,000-dig mark in a career, as Houston went on to split its doubleheader at the Red Raider Classic on Saturday.

Karbo opened the day continuing to put her name all over the Houston record book, surpassing the 2,000-dig mark with her 21 digs against UTEP (7-5). She is just the third player in program history to reach the career milestone and now has 2,047 after today's matches, sitting just 59 digs behind Natalie Keck (2011-14) on Houston's all-time list.

Karbo also posted 35 digs in the win over Incarnate Word (4-10), which ties her career-high. As a result of her performances this weekend, Karbo was named to the All-Tournament team. It's the third tournament honor she's received this season.

After beginning the day winning the first two sets against UTEP, the Cougars (6-9) fell to the Miners in a heart-breaking five frames (25-20, 25-19, 23-25, 15-25, 15-15). Houston responded though, and bounced back to take down Incarnate Word (4-10) in another five-set thriller (25-13, 24-26, 20-25, 26-24, 15-10).

In the Cougars' first contest of the day, sophomore setter Kelsey Childers turned in her best outing of her career with 17 assists and 14 digs, both of which are career-highs. Her double-double also marks the first of her career and the third by a Houston player this season.

Senior outside hitter Claire Karsten recorded another career-high performance with her team-best 14 kills. She was followed by sophomore outside hitter Alexis Cheatum, who tallied a season-high 10 kills, as those with double-digit kill marks against UTEP.

Houston's comeback win over the Cardinals saw a season-high 21 kills from senior outside hitter Megan Duncan, along with a career-best seven kills from freshman middle blocker Jillian Thompson. Thompson also recorded five blocks, which is a career-best as well.

MATCH ONE:
UTEP 3, Houston 2
Set 1
The Cougars wasted no time flexing their muscle at the net, as a .833 hitting percentage helped Houston go out in front 8-3. The Cougars then stretched their lead to seven at the 13-6 mark, thanks to a kill from Karsten. UTEP started to close the gap, but a huge block at the net from Thompson and Cheatum put the Cougars back ahead by six. Once Cheatum sealed the 25-20 set victory with her third kill of the match, five players had posted multiple kills for Houston, helping the Cougars hit .355 in the set.

Set 2
After the Miners jumped out to a four-point, the Cougars responded with a 5-0 run that put them ahead 13-11. During that stretch, freshman middle blocker Rachel Tullos recorded a solo block. With the service ace from junior setter Abby Irvine, Houston took a 18-14 lead, but UTEP prevailed and cut the advantage to four. The Cougars found a rebuttal of their own and closed out he set scoring four of the final six points to win 25-19 and take a 2-0 match lead.

Set 3
Houston continued to apply pressure on offense, starting the third set with a .333 hitting percentage that put the Cougars ahead 8-4. After the Miners battled back to take a 10-9 lead with their 6-1 run, Thompson put up a block to keep Houston within striking distance at 17-16. With Houston trailing by as many as four, the Cougars found a way to fight off three set-points, but the deficit proved to be too much to overcome as the Miners won 25-23 to force a fourth frame.

Set 4
Houston found itself in a quick six-point hole, trailing 9-3, which resulted in them calling a timeout. The timeout was not enough to stop the momentum, as the Miners stretched the lead to 10, which paced their way to the 25-15 set victory, sending the match to the decisive fifth set.

Set 5
After the Cougars fell behind by four, Theut put Houston back to within striking distance and closed the gap to just two points at the 10-8 mark with her kill. Once UTEP built itself a 14-10 lead, Houston showed its grit and managed to fight off three match points, but the deficit was too much to climb back from, as the Miners went on to win the set 15-13 and claim the 3-2 match victory.

MATCH 2:
Houston 3, UIW 2
Set 1
The Cardinals jumped out to an early lead, but the Cougars responded quickly and scored six unanswered points to take a 6-3 advantage. Once a kill from Karsten stretched the lead to four at 12-8, there was no looking back for Houston. Cheatum continued to extend the advantage to seven, and following a kill from senior outside hitter Megan Duncan, Houston found itself out in front 21-11. Theut ended the set with her first kill of the match to seal the 25-13 win for Houston.

Set 2
Houston came out and sustained its offensive presence with its .400 hitting percentage to come out to a five-point lead. Tullos continued to push the pace for the Cougars, as her kill stretched the advantage to 14-8. After another block put Houston out in front by seven, the Cougars maintained their seven-point lead until the Cardinals started to claw their way back and overcame the deficit to win the set 26-24 and tie the match at one.

Set 3
Karsten got the Cougars going with another kill that tied the score at five. However, the Cardinals responded with five unanswered points to grab hold of a 10-5 lead. UIW put together another run to push its lead to 19-11, and Houston did its best to fight back, but the Cougars fell 25-20 and the Cardinals took a 2-1 match lead.

Set 4
Irvine connected with freshman outside hitter Abbie Jackson to give Houston the early 5-3 edge. After a service ace from Karbo extended the Cougars' lead to 15-10, the Cardinals scored the 10 of the next 15 points to tie the score at 20. Houston would prevail as another kill from Jackson sealed the 26-14 set win for the Cougars.

Set 5
The two teams found themselves in a tightly contested battle at the start of the set but a kill from Duncan, gave the Cougars the 8-7 lead. After an error from the Cardinals put Houston ahead by three, the Cougars sealed the 15-10 victory thanks to a block from Jackson and Thompson that cemented the 3-2 victory.

UP NEXT
Houston returns home to open American Athletic Conference play on Friday, Sept. 27, as the Cougars host SMU inside the Fertitta Center at 7 p.m. Tickets for the match are on sale now and can be purchased here.

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 –

Upcoming Events

Recent Results