PREVIEW: Volleyball Faces West Virginia and Utah to Start Homestead

HOUSTON – The University of Houston volleyball team will face a pair of Big 12 opponents at home inside the Fertitta Center. The Cougars welcome West Virginia at 6:30 p.m. Thursday for Heroes Night. The first 100 fans will receive a camo Houston Volleyball t-shirt. Utah comes into town at 1 p.m. Saturday for Kids Day. Clear bags will be handed out to the first 50 fans in attendance.

VS WEST VIRGINIA 12-10 (5-7 BIG 12), UTAH 13-10 (5-7 BIG 12)

VS WEST VIRGINIA

Thursday, Nov. 12 | 6:30 p.m. CT
Houston, Texas | Fertitta Center

Stats | Tickets | Watch

VS UTAH

Saturday, Nov. 14 | 1 p.m. CT
Houston, Texas | Fertitta Center
Stats | Tickets | Watch

LAST TIME OUT

Houston lost 3-0 in Orlando, Fla. against UCF. Despite the loss, junior Kamille Gibson has 12 kills and two aces. Sophomore Gillian Pitts led the team in digs for the tenth time this season.

QUICK HITS

Thirteen (13) of Houston's 18 players are newcomers, including eight transfers and five freshmen.

Six of those eight transfers are from Power Four schools, including three from the SEC. Those three are setter Kalei Edson (Auburn), and a pair of outside hitters Kamille Gibson (Oklahoma) and Sydney Jones (Tennessee).

Head Coach David Rehr enters his eighth season in charge of the Cougars. In his time with Houston, he's posted a 137-91 record, including a 79-54 record in conference play.

Assistant Coach Dylan Ross returns to Houston following a six-year stint as a head coach at his alma mater Loras College, where he led the Duhawks to the DIII Men's Volleyball Championship Elite Eight in 2024.

The Cougars return 22% of kills, 6% of assists, 28% of digs and 28% of blocks from the 2025 season.

Nine Cougars claim the state of Texas as their home with four hailing from the greater Houston area.

Houston's schedule provides a challenge with twelve opponents reaching the NCAA Tournament a year ago and four playing in the regional semifinals.

Outside hitter Sydney Jones' 29 kills against Texas State (9/18) is the third most by a Big 12 player this season

Junior Kamille Gibson recorded a career high six aces against both Texas Tech (Oct. 18) and Iowa State (Oct. 25), the most by a Houston player this season

Houston sits third in the conference in total kills (1170) and second in assists (1085)

The Cougars rank fourth in aces per set (1.60) and third in total aces (139) in the Big 12

SERIES HISTORY

COOGS vs. WEST VIRGINIA

All-time: Houston leads 6-1

Sets: Houston leads 20-7

In Houston: Houston leads 3-0

In Morgantown: Houston leads 2-1

Neutral: Houston leads 1-0

Last meeting: Houston won 3-1 | West Virginia | Oct. 4, 2026

Houston Streak: W1

Rehr's UH career vs. West Virginia: 4-1

UH's Last 5: WLWWW (4-1)

Houston's Longest Win Streak: 5

Houston's Longest Losing Streak: 1

COOGS vs. UTAH

All-time: Houston leads 4-4

Sets: Utah leads 14-13

In Houston: Utah leads 1-0

In Salt Lake City: Utah Leads 2-0

Neutral: Houston leads 4-1

Last meeting: Houston lost 2-3 | Utah | Oct. 9, 2025

Houston Streak: L3

Rehr's UH career vs. Utah: 0-2

UH's Last 5: WWLLL (2-3)

Houston's Longest Win Streak: 2

Houston's Longest Losing Streak: 3

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 –

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Players Mentioned

Kalei Edson

Kamille Gibson

Sydney Jones

Gillian Pitts