PREVIEW: Volleyball Travels to the Sunshine State to Battle with UCF

ORLANDO, Fla. – Houston volleyball heads to Orlando, Fla. to face UCF at noon CT, Sunday inside The Venue. This will be the second time this season the two programs have met; UCF took the first meeting, 3-2 in a nailbiter inside the Fertitta Center earlier this season. The Knights are coming off a 3-2 victory over Iowa State on Thursday night.

At UCF 13-9 (5-7 BIG 12)

at UCF

Sunday, Nov. 8 | Noon CT
Orlando, Fla. | The Venue at UCF
Stats | Tickets | Watch

LAST TIME OUT

The Cougars fell in straight sets to #16 inside the Fertitta Center on Friday night in the Built by Houston match. Junior Kamille Gibson tallied 15 kills for her fourteenth game with double-digit kills this season. A duo of sophomore Gillian Pitts and junior Lily Barron paced the defense with 11 digs a piece.

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 137-90 record, including a 79-53 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 second 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 leads the conference in total kills (1134) and ranks second in assists (1055)

UCF freshman Natasha Casey is the NCAA leader in aces per set (0.72)

The Knights sit third in the conference in hitting percentage (.275)

SERIES HISTORY

COOGS vs. UCF

All-time: Series tied 17-17

Sets: UCF leads 67-66

In Houston: Houston leads 9-8

In Orlando: series tied 7-7

Neutral: UCF leads 2-1

Last meeting: UCF won 3-2 | Houston | Oct. 16, 2026

Houston Streak: L3

Rehr's UH career vs. UCF: 5-6

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

Houston's Longest Win Streak: 8

Houston's Longest Losing Streak: 4

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

Lily Barron

Kalei Edson

Kamille Gibson

Sydney Jones

Gillian Pitts