Cougars Stumble in Four-Set Loss to Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz. – Despite 35 digs from graduate libero Kate Georgiades, the University of Houston Volleyball team dropped its Friday night contest to Arizona, 3-1, inside McKale Center.

Georgiades' mark ties for the eighth most digs in a four-set match by an NCAA Division I player this season. It also ranks second to her own 36 dig performance on Houston's (8-9, 3-4 Big 12) four set record list. The mark is her seventh 30-plus dig showing and 52^nd 20-plus dig effort.

Graduate outside hitter Angela Grieve led Cougar attackers with 17 kills while redshirt sophomore Ella Wendel paced the team with four blocks.

Houston and Arizona (13-5, 2-5 Big 12) remained close up to the media timeout in the first set. Splitting the first eight points, a 5-2 run allowed the Wildcats to take a narrow lead. Houston closed the gap to 15-13 at the break but an 8-2 stretch from Arizona extended their lead to 23-15. The Cougars fought back, shrinking the deficit with a 3-0 run and fighting off three set points, however Arizona ultimately won the frame, 25-20.

Houston built off its momentum from the end of the first, winning four of the first five points to take the lead. Arizona clawed back, taking a 10-8 edge, but Houston reclaimed the advantage at the media timeout, 15-14. The set remained close afterwards, winding up deadlocked at 22-22, but three straight points from Houston evened the match with a 25-22 set two victory.

Arizona surged in the third set. Using an early 6-0 run, the Wildcats held off the Cougars and cruised to a 25-17 set win to set up a decisive third.

The Wildcats continued to control play in the fourth. Taking a 7-3 lead after 10 serves, Arizona used a 6-1 run to further expand their lead, pushing their edge to 13-5. The Wildcats held the advantage through the end, winning the set, 25-16, and the match, 3-1.

NOTABLES
· Cooke moved into a tie for eighth on Houston's career matches played list with her 129^th. She also moved into fifth on Houston's all-time sets played list with 476.
· Wendel has led Houston in blocks in six matches this season.

UP NEXT
Houston returns home to the Fertitta Center for a Oct. 23 match against in-state rival Baylor. The Wednesday match is slated for a 7 p.m. CT first serve.

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– UHCougars.com –

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Angela Grieve

Katie Corelli

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Kate Georgiades

Angela Grieve

Ella Wendel

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