Friday, September 19
Houston, Texas
7 p.m.
University of Houston
5-4,0-0Big 12
2
vs
3
Liberty
11-1,0-0CUSA
1
2
3
4
5
F
Liberty
22
25
23
26
16
3
Houston
25
19
25
24
14
2
Houston Falls in Five to Liberty
9/19/2025 10:52:00 PM | Volleyball
Cougars out-hit Liberty, .284-.220, but fall in a five-set heartbreaker to Flames
HOUSTON – Despite leading Liberty in hitting percentage and blocks, the Houston Volleyball team dropped a five-set heartbreaker to the Flames at Fertitta Center on Friday night.
Houston (5-4), who posted a 66-16-176 line for a .284 efficiency, out-hit Liberty's (11-1) line of 73-32-186 (.220) and doubled the Flames' blocking effort, 14.0-6.0 in the loss. Senior Bre Reid paced Houston offensively, tallying 22 kills for her ninth career match with 20-or-more, while redshirt senior Barakat Rahmon finished errorless on 19 attempts, amassing 13 kills for a .684 hitting efficiency and adding a match-best eight blocks.
Senior Alana Torres-Rivera posted a career-high 20 digs while both of Houston's setters earned double-doubles in the match. Senior Lottie Scully finished with 36 assists and 12 digs with freshman Olivia Klimis earning her first career double-double behind 19 assists and 10 digs.
A back-and-forth first set went Houston's way late in the frame. Tied at 19-19, back-to-back points for the Cougars off a kill from junior Halle Schroder and a Liberty attack error gave Houston the lead. The Flames fought of Houston's first set point but couldn't overcome a kill from freshman Tara Greenberry to close out the frame, 25-22.
While Liberty controlled play to win the second, 25-19, Houston answered by winning another close set in the third. The teams evenly split the first 12 points before a 5-1 run for the Cougars, powered by two kills from Rahmon and a kill and an ace from redshirt senior Kellen Morin, put Houston ahead 11-7. The Flames fought back to even the score at 23-23, but Houston never allowed Liberty to lead, taking the set 25-23.
Liberty battled through six ties and a lead change to win the fourth in extra points and force a fifth set, Houston's second five-setter of the season. Houston won six of the first 10 points in the final frame, but a 4-0 run for Liberty put the Flames back in front. While the Cougars evened the score at 13-13 and 14-14, a service error and an attack error sealed the win for Liberty.
NOTABLES
· Reid's 20-plus kill performance was Houston's first since Angela Grieve tallied 21 at UCF on Oct. 25, 2024.
· Torres-Rivera's 20-or-more dig performance was Houston's first since Kate Georgiades recorded 20 vs Utah on Nov. 14, 2024.
· Houston's 19 kills in the first set were the most for the Cougars in a single set this season.
UP NEXT
Houston wraps up play in the Cougar Challenge with a doubleheader on Saturday. After clashing with North Alabama at 1 p.m., the Cougars close the weekend with a 7 p.m. tilt against McNeese.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Volleyball by providing NIL opportunities or by joining the Point Houston Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Volleyball for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarVB on X, formerly known as 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 (5-4), who posted a 66-16-176 line for a .284 efficiency, out-hit Liberty's (11-1) line of 73-32-186 (.220) and doubled the Flames' blocking effort, 14.0-6.0 in the loss. Senior Bre Reid paced Houston offensively, tallying 22 kills for her ninth career match with 20-or-more, while redshirt senior Barakat Rahmon finished errorless on 19 attempts, amassing 13 kills for a .684 hitting efficiency and adding a match-best eight blocks.
Senior Alana Torres-Rivera posted a career-high 20 digs while both of Houston's setters earned double-doubles in the match. Senior Lottie Scully finished with 36 assists and 12 digs with freshman Olivia Klimis earning her first career double-double behind 19 assists and 10 digs.
A back-and-forth first set went Houston's way late in the frame. Tied at 19-19, back-to-back points for the Cougars off a kill from junior Halle Schroder and a Liberty attack error gave Houston the lead. The Flames fought of Houston's first set point but couldn't overcome a kill from freshman Tara Greenberry to close out the frame, 25-22.
While Liberty controlled play to win the second, 25-19, Houston answered by winning another close set in the third. The teams evenly split the first 12 points before a 5-1 run for the Cougars, powered by two kills from Rahmon and a kill and an ace from redshirt senior Kellen Morin, put Houston ahead 11-7. The Flames fought back to even the score at 23-23, but Houston never allowed Liberty to lead, taking the set 25-23.
Liberty battled through six ties and a lead change to win the fourth in extra points and force a fifth set, Houston's second five-setter of the season. Houston won six of the first 10 points in the final frame, but a 4-0 run for Liberty put the Flames back in front. While the Cougars evened the score at 13-13 and 14-14, a service error and an attack error sealed the win for Liberty.
NOTABLES
· Reid's 20-plus kill performance was Houston's first since Angela Grieve tallied 21 at UCF on Oct. 25, 2024.
· Torres-Rivera's 20-or-more dig performance was Houston's first since Kate Georgiades recorded 20 vs Utah on Nov. 14, 2024.
· Houston's 19 kills in the first set were the most for the Cougars in a single set this season.
UP NEXT
Houston wraps up play in the Cougar Challenge with a doubleheader on Saturday. After clashing with North Alabama at 1 p.m., the Cougars close the weekend with a 7 p.m. tilt against McNeese.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Volleyball by providing NIL opportunities or by joining the Point Houston Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Volleyball for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarVB on X, formerly known as 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
Lib
UH
Kills
73
66
Errors
32
16
Attempts
186
176
Hitting %
.220
.284
Points
87.0
83.0
Assists
67
62
Aces
8
3
Blocks
6
14
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
22
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
8
Kills
9
Aces
1
Blocks
6
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
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/ VolleyballMB
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/ 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