PREVIEW: Volleyball Opens Big 12 Conference Play at #19 Kansas

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Houston volleyball begins its Big 12 Conference slate on the road heading to Lawrence, Kan. to battle #19 Kansas on Friday, 6 p.m., at the Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena.

AT #19 KANSAS 7-3 (0-0 BIG 12)
vs Kansas	Friday, Sept. 25 \| 6 p.m. Lawrence, Kansas \| Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena Stats \| Tickets \| Watch

LAST TIME OUT
Houston hosted UTSA, Texas State and Houston Christian for the Flo Hyman Classic in the Fertitta Center. Opening the tournament,the Cougars fell short to UTSA in a four-set battle. Later that day Houston took down Texas State in a five-set thriller, 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 team leading fourth double-double of the season.

The Cougars defeated cross-town rival Houston Christian, Saturday night in straight sets. 7^th year Aidan Conner led the team with seven blocks. The team hit .260 with sophomore Noemi Despiagne pacing th team with 12 kills.

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 131-84 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.
Setter Kalei Edson's 55 assists against Wake Forest (Aug.29) are tied for most assists in a match by a Big 12 player
Outside hitter Sydney Jones recorded the most kills in a single match by a Big 12 player with 29 versus Texas State (Sept. 18), she also rank fourth in the conference in kills per set (4.37)

SERIES HISTORY
COOGS vs. KANSAS

All-time: Kansas leads 4-3
Sets: Kansas leads 13-11
In Houston: Kansas leads 1-0
In Lawrence: 2-3
Neutral: Houston leads 1-0
Last meeting: Kansas won 3-0 | Fertitta Center | Oct. 16, 2025
Houston Streak: L4
Rehr's UH career vs. Kansas: 0-3
UH's Last 5: WLLLL (1-4)
Houston's Longest Win Streak: 3
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 –

Upcoming Events

Recent Results