Cougars Split Matches in Opening Day of the Flo Hyman Classic

Friday, September 18

Houston, Texas

Noon

University of Houston

5-4,0-0Big 12

UTSA

8-2,0-0American

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
UTSA	25	25	21	25	3
Houston	21	18	25	22	1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Texas St.	23	25	16	25	11	2
Houston	25	21	25	22	15	3

Cougars Split Matches in Opening Day of the Flo Hyman Classic

9/18/2026 11:34:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game Book UTSA Game Book Texas State

Houston falls to UTSA, then emerge victorious against Texas State

By: Elisha Qazi

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Volleyball team dropped its match against UTSA in four sets, before bouncing back in a five set win over Texas State to begin its Flo Hyman Classic at the Fertitta Center on Friday.

GAME ONE VS UTSA
The Cougars fell to UTSA in a four-set battle.

The first set was hard fought with three lead changes, but a pair of 4-0 runs gave the Roadrunners the advantage taking the set, 21-25. Led by graduate hitter Brooke Elliot and freshman Sydney Bryant who both had four kills, and a team kill percentage of .464. The Cougars made a late 6-0 run but fell short in its comeback attempt.

Houston struggled in the second set, falling 18-25. UTSA opened the scoring and never let up their lead. A pair of 3-0 runs allowed the roadrunners to keep the set out of reach.

The Cougars cut the lead in half, taking the third set 25-21. The set stayed close until the Cougars went on a 5-0 run to extend the lead to eight, their biggest lead of the game, and go up 17-9. Houston kept their foot on the gas with juniors Kamille Gibson and Sydney Jones leading the offense with five kills each.

Houston's comeback bid fell short in the fourth set, losing 22-25 despite jumping to an early 3-0 advantage. UTSA responded with a 4-1 run of their own. Both teams traded points until the Roadrunners went on a 5-2 run to create their biggest lead in the set, 20-16. The Cougars were able to tie the setup at 22-22, but the Roadrunners scored three straight points to end the set 25-22, and the match, 3-1.

GAME TWO VS TEXAS STATE
The Cougars battled to a five-set victory, rallying behind a career high of 29 kills from junior Sydney Jones. Sophomore Noemi Despaigne tied her career high in kills with 20, and Kamille Gibson recorded her fourth double-double of the season.

Houston took control of the first set early, starting with a 6-2 run. The Cougars maintained a steady lead for most of the set until a 5-2 Bobcat run tied the set at 23. A Despaigne kill, followed by a Texas State attacking error clinched the first set for the Cougars, 25-23.

The second set had four ties and four lead changes in a close set that Texas State edged out 25-21. The Bobcats burst into a 4-0 lead to start the set. Houston answered quickly, scoring six of seven points to claim a 6-5 lead. Texas State regained the lead, holding a 15-12 advantage at the media break. The Bobcats preserved their lead, eventually closing the set out with a kill by sophomore Isabella Andrews.

Houston dominated the third set with Jones leading the team with seven kills. With the score tied at five, the Cougars scored five unanswered points, jumping to a 10-5 lead. Houston maintained its lead closing the set on a 6-2 run, topped off by a Despaigne kill.

The Bobcats would take the fourth set 25-22 with the team registering three total blocks. Houston sprang into an early 12-7 lead. Texas State flipped the set on its head, scoring 10 out of 11 points and claiming a 17-13 lead.  The Bobcats secured the set via a kill by redshirt sophomore Naara Tanco.

A close fifth set went the way of the Cougars, 15-11. Houston used a balanced attack with five players tallying multiple kills in the final set. Houston leapt to a 6-3 lead, forcing a Bobcat timeout. Texas State battled back, closing the lead to two with the score at 12-10, causing a Houston timeout. Rehr's squad closed the set claiming three out of four points, with Jones ending the match with her career high 29th kill of the match.

STANDOUT COUGARS (Stats accumulated from both games)
Noemi Despaigne: 36 kills; .250 hit percentage; 11 digs
Sydney Jones: 51 kills; .294 hit percentage; 6 digs
Tara Greenberry: 10 kills; .429 hit percentage; 5.5 total blocks
Kamille Gibson: 25 kills; .224 hit percentage, 17 digs, 1 doube-double

UP NEXT
Houston closes the Flo Hyman Classic against Houston Christian at 6:30 p.m., Saturday for Rodeo Night at the Fertitta Center.

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