Houston Volleyball – Oklahoma Invitational Champions

NORMAN, Okla. – Senior outside hitter Kortlyn Henderson posted 13 kills with nine blocks to lead the University of Houston Volleyball program to a 3-2 win over Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Invitational championship inside McCasland Field House on Saturday night.

Houston jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the match before holding off the pesky Sooners. With the win, the Cougars completed a perfect weekend and moved to 3-0, while Oklahoma dropped to 0-3. Lipscomb and Oregon State tied for second with 1-1 records.

Junior outside hitter Abbie Jackson and senior outside hitter Kennedy Warren finished with 12 kills apiece, while sophomore setter Annie Cooke finished with a team-high 44 assists and added seven digs with two blocks and two service aces. Sophomore Kate Georgiades led the way with 18 digs.

In Set 1, both teams were tied at 18-18 before the Cougars used a Oklahoma service error and ace from junior defensive specialist Sarah Martinez to take a 20-18 lead. The two teams traded points before Oklahoma moved to within 21-20 on a kill from Kristen Birmingham.

Fortunately, senior middle blocker Isabel Theut and Abbie Jackson blasted kills to give the Cougars a 24-21 lead, and Warren sealed the first set for the Cougars.

In Set 2, the Cougars jumped out to a 6-0 lead following a pair of service aces from Cooke, a kill from Henderson and three Oklahoma miscues. The Sooners moved no closer than three the rest of the way.

Oklahoma rallied to win the next two sets and force a deciding fifth set. In the final frame, Houston jumped out to a 4-1 lead early, thanks to a kill from Henderson and blocks from Henderson, junior middle blocker Rachel Tullos and Warren.

The Sooner closed the gap to 4-3, but the Cougars scored five of the next six points to take a 9-4 lead. Jackson led the rally with two kills and a block, while Henderson and Tullos each added kills.

Oklahoma continued to fight and knotted the match at 13-13 following a Houston error. However, Warren's ensuing kill gave the Cougars the lead for good, and Jackson finished the match with her final kill of the night.

Oklahoma's Savannah Davidson led all players with 29 kills, while Megan Wilson finished with 19 kills. Peyton Dunn totaled 50 assists with 14 digs, while Callie Kemohah led the Sooners with 23 digs.

UP NEXT
Following the Oklahoma Invitational, the Cougars return home and open their home schedule when they play host to the Flo Hyman Invitational inside the Fertitta Center.

The Cougars meet Mississippi State at 6:30 p.m., Friday before taking on McNeese (11 a.m.) and ULM (6:30 p.m.) on Sept. 4.

BUY TICKETS
Fans can purchase Houston Volleyball tickets by calling 713-462-6647 or by clicking here. The 32-match schedule features 13 contests inside the Fertitta Center, which returns to full capacity in 2021.

JOIN POINT HOUSTON CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Volleyball program by joining the Point HOUSTON Club. For more information about the Point HOUSTON Club, fans can click here or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH.

STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Volleyball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarVB, and "Like" UHCougarVB on Facebook.

– UHCougars.com –

Upcoming Events

Recent Results