Cougars Comeback Falls Short in Five-Set Loss to UCF

Friday, October 16

Houston, Texas

6:30 p.m.

University of Houston

10-7,3-3Big 12

UCF

9-8,1-6Big 12

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
UCF	25	25	21	22	16	3
Houston	19	16	25	25	14	2

Cougars Comeback Falls Short in Five-Set Loss to UCF

10/16/2026 9:46:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Game Book

Houston drops middle game of three-game homestead

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Volleyball team dropped a decision in five sets against UCF, Friday night at the Fertitta Center.

Junior Sydney Jones registered her third career game of at least 25 kills, and Sophomore Noemi Despaigne tied her career high of 20 kills.

Neither team jumped out to an early lead with four ties early in the first set until a 6-0 run by UCF would force a Houston timeout making the score 10-5. The Cougars cut the lead four late with a score of 22-18, but UCF would ultimately take the first set 25-19.

The second set was controlled early by UCF as they outscored the Cougars 8-1 to start. They carried the momentum into the media timeout with a lead of 15-8. The Knights finished the set, 25-16.

Houston claimed the third set, 25-21, cutting the match lead in half. UCF took an early lead, claiming the first four of five points. Five unanswered points by the Cougars gave Houston a 6-4 lead. The Knights tied the set at eight, until Houston scored seven of nine points holding a 15-10 lead at the media break. Houston retained a steady lead, eventually winning the third set 25-21.

The Cougars started strong in the fourth set, jetting out to a 10-7 advantage. A kill by Jones put Houston up 15-12 into the media timeout. UCF threatened late narrowing the lead to one at 19-18. The Cougars fended off multiple UCF attempts to tie the set, eventually extending the lead to three, 23-20. Despaigne's seventh kill of the set clinched the set 25-22.

A tight fifth set saw UCF edge Houston, 16-14. The Knights jumped out to an early 4-1 lead. Houston clawed back, knotting the set at five, forcing a UCF timeout. Following scoring by both sides, three straight points by Houston put the Cougars in front 11-9. UCF answered back, scoring four of five points flipping the score to a UCF lead, 14-13. Houston fended off the set point, tying the set at 14-14. Two straight points by UCF finished the set 16-14, and the match, 3-2.

STANDOUT COUGARS

Sydney Jones: 27 kills; .290 hit percentage

Noemi Despaige: 20 kills; .366 hit percentage

UP NEXT

Houston wraps up its homestead against conference rival Texas Tech at 1 p.m., Sunday for Girls Day. The first 100 fans will receive a Houston Cougar scrunchie.

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