Sunday, November 20
Houston, Texas
1 p.m.
University of Houston
27-2,18-0AAC
3
vs
1
SMU
21-9,14-4AAC
1
2
3
4
F
SMU
15
22
27
19
1
Houston
25
25
25
25
3
Volleyball Finishes Undefeated at Home in Regular Season
11/20/2022 4:30:00 PM | Volleyball
The Cougars topped third-place SMU in advance of the regular season’s final week
HOUSTON – The No. 23 University of Houston volleyball team continued its winning ways this conference season, defeating SMU, 3-1, at the Fertitta Center in front of 1,301 fans on Sunday afternoon. The victory completes an undefeated home schedule that saw the Cougars post a 14-0 record at the Fertitta Center.
Houston (27-2, 18-0 The American) pushes its record winning streak to 19 games, which still sits as the third-longest active streak in Division I. The Cougars have also won their last 18 conference matches, the second-longest active stretch in the country.
Senior Abbie Jackson posted a second straight double-double with 11 kills and 18 digs. Graduates Kortlyn Henderson and Isabel Theut also tallied double-digit kill totals, with 14 and 11, respectively. Henderson's total marked the first time she led Houston in the category this season.
Junior Kate Georgiades led the match with 20 digs, while junior Annie Cooke paced the team with 22 assists. Senior Morgan Janda added 17 assists of her own, narrowly missing a double-double with nine digs.
SET ONE
Houston hit the ground at a full sprint in the first set, using a 7-0 run and a 6-0 run to lead 13-2. The Cougars stifled the SMU offense, limiting the Mustangs to a -0.027 hitting percentage, while posting seven blocks in the frame. While SMU attempted to mount a comeback late in the set, the Cougars ultimately won the frame, 25-15.
SET TWO
While Houston ran away with the first, the second set was a back-and-forth affair that featured 14 ties and six lead changes. With both teams tallying short runs to take the momentum, a 7-2 run would be enough for the Cougars to take a 25-22 set win.
Henderson went a perfect 4-for-4 in the frame, posting a 1.000 hitting percentage, while Georgiades tallied five digs.
SET THREE
The third set was another neck-and-neck affair with neither team able to jump out to more than a two-point lead until back-to-back kills from sophomore Kellen Morin and Theut put Houston up 20-16. SMU would then post a 4-0 run to even the score back at 20-20 and force extra play with the score tied at 24-all. While Houston would win the first point after on a Henderson kill, SMU tallied three straight points to take the set, 27-25.
The set is the first Houston has lost in nearly a month, having won 28 consecutive sets dating back to the fourth set against Wichita State on Oct. 21.
SET FOUR
The Cougars bounced back quickly in the fourth, jumping out to a 3-1 lead before mounting multiple short runs that pushed their lead to 10-5. SMU would tie the frame at 15-15, but Houston responded with a 5-0 run to give itself a 20-15 lead that was enough to take the set, 25-19.
UP NEXT
The Cougars complete the regular season with a trip to Florida, battling South Florida at noon CT, Wednesday in Tampa followed by a rematch against No. 24 UCF in Orlando at 4 p.m. CT, Friday. A win against South Florida would guarantee Houston at least a share of the conference title in the team's final season in The American.
BUY TICKETS
Fans can purchase Houston Volleyball tickets by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or by clicking here. The 31-match schedule features 14 contests inside the Fertitta Center.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
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 (4684).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarVB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarVB. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarVB.
– UHCougars.com –
Houston (27-2, 18-0 The American) pushes its record winning streak to 19 games, which still sits as the third-longest active streak in Division I. The Cougars have also won their last 18 conference matches, the second-longest active stretch in the country.
Senior Abbie Jackson posted a second straight double-double with 11 kills and 18 digs. Graduates Kortlyn Henderson and Isabel Theut also tallied double-digit kill totals, with 14 and 11, respectively. Henderson's total marked the first time she led Houston in the category this season.
Junior Kate Georgiades led the match with 20 digs, while junior Annie Cooke paced the team with 22 assists. Senior Morgan Janda added 17 assists of her own, narrowly missing a double-double with nine digs.
SET ONE
Houston hit the ground at a full sprint in the first set, using a 7-0 run and a 6-0 run to lead 13-2. The Cougars stifled the SMU offense, limiting the Mustangs to a -0.027 hitting percentage, while posting seven blocks in the frame. While SMU attempted to mount a comeback late in the set, the Cougars ultimately won the frame, 25-15.
SET TWO
While Houston ran away with the first, the second set was a back-and-forth affair that featured 14 ties and six lead changes. With both teams tallying short runs to take the momentum, a 7-2 run would be enough for the Cougars to take a 25-22 set win.
Henderson went a perfect 4-for-4 in the frame, posting a 1.000 hitting percentage, while Georgiades tallied five digs.
SET THREE
The third set was another neck-and-neck affair with neither team able to jump out to more than a two-point lead until back-to-back kills from sophomore Kellen Morin and Theut put Houston up 20-16. SMU would then post a 4-0 run to even the score back at 20-20 and force extra play with the score tied at 24-all. While Houston would win the first point after on a Henderson kill, SMU tallied three straight points to take the set, 27-25.
The set is the first Houston has lost in nearly a month, having won 28 consecutive sets dating back to the fourth set against Wichita State on Oct. 21.
SET FOUR
The Cougars bounced back quickly in the fourth, jumping out to a 3-1 lead before mounting multiple short runs that pushed their lead to 10-5. SMU would tie the frame at 15-15, but Houston responded with a 5-0 run to give itself a 20-15 lead that was enough to take the set, 25-19.
UP NEXT
The Cougars complete the regular season with a trip to Florida, battling South Florida at noon CT, Wednesday in Tampa followed by a rematch against No. 24 UCF in Orlando at 4 p.m. CT, Friday. A win against South Florida would guarantee Houston at least a share of the conference title in the team's final season in The American.
BUY TICKETS
Fans can purchase Houston Volleyball tickets by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or by clicking here. The 31-match schedule features 14 contests inside the Fertitta Center.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
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 (4684).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarVB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarVB. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarVB.
– UHCougars.com –
Team Stats
SMU
UH
Kills
49
54
Errors
25
17
Attempts
161
149
Hitting %
.149
.248
Points
63
72
Assists
48
49
Aces
5
5
Blocks
9
13
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
12
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
11
Aces
3
Blocks
1
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Players Mentioned
S
/ Volleyball
L
/ VolleyballOH
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
MB
/ VolleyballMB
/ VolleyballHouston at Big 12 Media Days
Thursday, August 07
Cougars All-Access: Barakat Rahmon (VB)
Tuesday, November 19
Cougars All-Access: Kate Georgiades (VB)
Wednesday, October 02
Cougars All-Access: David Rehr (VB)
Monday, September 16