PREVIEW: Volleyball Hosts Intrastate Rivals at Houston Invitational

Thursday, September 3

Houston, Texas

1 p.m.

University of Houston

Texas Southern

PREVIEW: Volleyball Hosts Intrastate Rivals at Houston Invitational

9/2/2026 11:38:00 AM | Volleyball

Cougars face off against Texas Southern, Abilene Christian and Houston Christian in Fertitta Center

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Volleyball team begins its 2026 home slate with three matches across two days at the Houston Invitational inside the Fertitta Center. To open the event, the Cougars are set to face Texas Southern at 1 p.m. and Abilene Christian at 6:30 p.m., Thursday. Houston ends its tournament against HCU at 6:30 p.m., Friday.

Houston Invitational
Texas Southern	Thursday, Sept. 3 \| 1 p.m. Houston \| Fertitta Center Stats \| Tickets \| Watch
Abilene Christian	Thursday, Sept. 3 \| 6:30 p.m. Houston\| Fertitta Center Stats \| Tickets \| Watch
Houston Christian	Friday, Sept. 4 \| 6:30 p.m. Houston \| Fertitta Center Stats \| Tickets \| Watch

LAST TIME OUT
The Cougars split a pair of matches at the LSU Tournament, sweeping Incarnate Word on Friday and falling in five sets to Wake Forest on Saturday.

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 125-81 record, including a 73-47 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 eight opponents reaching the NCAA Tournament a year ago and four playing in the regional semifinals.
The Cougars rank second in the Big 12 in hitting percentage (.325)

Kalei Edson's 55 assists against Wake Forest on Aug. 29 leads the Big 12 for most assists in a single match.

SERIES HISTORY
COOGS vs. Texas Southern

All-time: Houston leads 5-0
Sets: 15-3
At Houston: Houston leads 4-0
At Texas Southern: Houston leads 1-0
Last meeting: Houston won 3-1 | Houston | Sept. 3, 2016
Houston Streak: W5
Rehr's UH career vs. Texas Southern: First Meeting
UH's Last 5: WWWWW (5-0)
Houston's Longest Win Streak: 5
Houston's Longest Losing Streak: 0

COOGS vs. Abilene Christian

All-time: Houston leads 4-0
Sets: Houston leads 9-1
In Houston: Houston leads 3-0
At Abilene: N/A
Neutral Sites: Houston leads 1-0
Last meeting: Houston won 3-1 | Denton, Texas (Neutral) | Sept. 11, 2015
Houston Streak: W4
Rehr's UH career vs. Abilene Christian: First Meeting
UH's Last 5: WWWW (4-0)
Houston's Longest Win Streak: 4
Houston's Longest Losing Streak: 0

COOGS vs. Houston Christian

All-time: 2-2
Sets: 7-7
At Houston: 1-1
At Houston Christian: 1-1
Neutral Sites: N/A
Last meeting: Houston lost 1-3 | Houston | Sept. 17, 2019
Houston Streak: L1
Rehr's UH career vs. HCU: 0-1
UH's Last 5: WLWL (2-2)
Houston's Longest Win Streak: 1
Houston's Longest Losing Streak: 1

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.

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