Friday, November 25
Orlando, Fla.
4 p.m.
University of Houston
28-3,19-1AAC
2
at
3
UCF
27-1,19-1AAC
1
2
3
4
5
F
Houston
25
20
21
25
12
2
UCF
20
25
25
19
15
3
Volleyball Earns The American’s Automatic Bid to NCAA Tournament
11/25/2022 7:07:00 PM | Volleyball
Cougars claim American’s spot in the NCAA Tournament via tiebreakers
ORLANDO, Fla. – The #22 University of Houston volleyball team is heading to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2000. Despite a five-set loss to #23 UCF on Friday night, the Cougars claimed the American Athletic Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament as the league's co-champions.
Houston (28-3, 19-1 The American) was able to take The American's spot in the tournament via tiebreakers, which awarded the Cougars based on sets won against UCF, where the Cougars had the advantage, 5-4.
Senior Abbie Jackson posted her 10th double-double of the season with 18 kills and 15 digs. Senior Morgan Janda narrowly missed a double-double of her own with 28 assists and nine digs.
Graduate Isabel Theut posted double-digit kills with 14 in the match, while junior Kate Georgiades tallied her fourth consecutive match with 20-or-more digs with 22 in the five-setter.
SET ONE
The Cougars started hot in the first, jumping out to a 5-0 lead and forcing an early timeout from the Knights. While UCF was able to even things at 13-13, a 4-1 run from Houston reestablished the Cougars' advantage which held for the remainder of the set to give the frame to Houston, 25-20.
SET TWO
The script flipped in set two. The Knights took a quick 5-1 lead and Houston closed the gap and traded points with UCF to make the score 19-all late. The Knights ultimately went on a 6-1 run to take the set, 25-20, and even the score, 1-1.
SET THREE
The Knights again established a lead early in the third set, taking a 7-3 lead 10 points into the frame. UCF was able to rattle off multiple runs to strengthen its advantage in the set, pushing the score to 23-12. Houston rallied back, shrinking the deficit to 23-19. The Cougars' comeback attempt fell short, however, and the Knights took the set, 25-21.
SET FOUR
Houston took an early advantage, 6-2, with a pair of 3-0 runs. The four-point lead was enough to hold the Knights off for the remainder of the frame as Houston forced a critical fifth set, 25-19.
SET FIVE
The fifth set was a back-and-forth affair, featuring eight ties. Houston jumped out to a quick 3-1 lead, but UCF tied the score at 4-4. Neither team was able to create more than a two-point lead as the set remained tied at 12-12. The Knights were able to use a 3-0 run from there to earn the match victory.
UP NEXT
The Cougars will find out what awaits the team in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night. The NCAA Volleyball Tournament Selection Show will air at 6:30 p.m. CT Sunday on ESPNU. Houston has built an impressive resume, including a pair of wins over teams in the top 50 of the NCAA's RPI and no losses against teams outside the top 20. Currently, the Cougars are in hosting consideration with the 17th best RPI in the country.
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.
Houston (28-3, 19-1 The American) was able to take The American's spot in the tournament via tiebreakers, which awarded the Cougars based on sets won against UCF, where the Cougars had the advantage, 5-4.
Senior Abbie Jackson posted her 10th double-double of the season with 18 kills and 15 digs. Senior Morgan Janda narrowly missed a double-double of her own with 28 assists and nine digs.
Graduate Isabel Theut posted double-digit kills with 14 in the match, while junior Kate Georgiades tallied her fourth consecutive match with 20-or-more digs with 22 in the five-setter.
SET ONE
The Cougars started hot in the first, jumping out to a 5-0 lead and forcing an early timeout from the Knights. While UCF was able to even things at 13-13, a 4-1 run from Houston reestablished the Cougars' advantage which held for the remainder of the set to give the frame to Houston, 25-20.
SET TWO
The script flipped in set two. The Knights took a quick 5-1 lead and Houston closed the gap and traded points with UCF to make the score 19-all late. The Knights ultimately went on a 6-1 run to take the set, 25-20, and even the score, 1-1.
SET THREE
The Knights again established a lead early in the third set, taking a 7-3 lead 10 points into the frame. UCF was able to rattle off multiple runs to strengthen its advantage in the set, pushing the score to 23-12. Houston rallied back, shrinking the deficit to 23-19. The Cougars' comeback attempt fell short, however, and the Knights took the set, 25-21.
SET FOUR
Houston took an early advantage, 6-2, with a pair of 3-0 runs. The four-point lead was enough to hold the Knights off for the remainder of the frame as Houston forced a critical fifth set, 25-19.
SET FIVE
The fifth set was a back-and-forth affair, featuring eight ties. Houston jumped out to a quick 3-1 lead, but UCF tied the score at 4-4. Neither team was able to create more than a two-point lead as the set remained tied at 12-12. The Knights were able to use a 3-0 run from there to earn the match victory.
UP NEXT
The Cougars will find out what awaits the team in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night. The NCAA Volleyball Tournament Selection Show will air at 6:30 p.m. CT Sunday on ESPNU. Houston has built an impressive resume, including a pair of wins over teams in the top 50 of the NCAA's RPI and no losses against teams outside the top 20. Currently, the Cougars are in hosting consideration with the 17th best RPI in the country.
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.
Team Stats
UH
UCF
Kills
59
69
Errors
22
27
Attempts
179
175
Hitting %
.207
.240
Points
75
77
Assists
53
66
Aces
7
2
Blocks
9
6
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
18
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
6
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
L
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
S
/ 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