University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
9-5,2-1Big 12
Cincinnati
7-6,0-3Big 12
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | 25 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 1 |
| Houston | 23 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Volleyball Topples Cincinnati in Conference Home Opener
10/2/2026 10:27:00 PM | Volleyball
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Volleyball team defeated Cincinnati over four sets in comeback fashion at the Fertitta Center, Friday night. The Cougars displayed stellar defense with four players tallying double-digit kills. Three Cougars finished with double-digit kills with Sophomore Noemi Despaigne pacing the squad with 17. Sophomore Tara Greenberry posted a career high in hitting percentage at .643 (min. 5 attempts)
Junior Kamille Gibson set the tone early for the Cougars, jumping out to a 13-7 lead. Cincinnati slowly shortened the deficit, knotting the set at 20. Houston regained the lead scoring two straight making the score 22-20. Cincinnati bounced back tallying five of six points to claim the first set 25-23.
The Cougars burst into an early 4-0 advantage to start the second set. Cincinnati clawed back to tie the set at seven. The Bearcats held a 15-14 lead heading into the media break. The two teams remained within two points of each other until a kill by Gibson made the score 23-20. Houston quickly ended the set behind two kills from Despaigne, finishing 25-21.
Houston took the lead in the match, taking the third set, 25-21 behind a balanced attack with three Cougars registering four kills. The set remained close with neither team extending a lead beyond two heading into the media break. Houston led 15-13. The Cougars claimed five of the next seven points to lengthen the lead to 20-15. Two kills from Despaigne, an ace from Gibson and two kills from junior Sydney Jones ended the set 25-21.
Gibson led Houston with five kills in the fourth set en route to a 25-20 set win. The Cougars took a 15-13 lead into the media break. Houston extended that lead to four, turning the score 20-16. Two kills by Gibson, and one each by Greenberry and senior Alexis Roberson, along with an attacking error by Cincinnati completed the set 25-20.
STANDOUT COUGARS
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Tara Greenberry: 7 blocks; 9 kills; .643 hit percentage
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Shannon Dworaczyk: 42 assists, 12 assists
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Noemi Despaige: 17 kills; .238 hit percentage; 10 digs
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Kamille Gibson: 15 kills; .353 hit percentage; 11 digs
UP NEXT
Houston travels east to Morgantown, W.Va., to take on West Virginia at noon CT Sunday, Oct. 4.
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– UHCougars.com –
