Cougars Triumph in Pair of Wins at the Houston Invitational

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Volleyball team emerged victorious in two matches on Thursday over Texas Southern and Abilene Christian to begin its Houston Invitational.

GAME ONE VS TEXAS SOUTHERN

Junior Kalei Edison led the way on offense with 42 assists, while junior Sydney Jones led the team with 13 kills. On the defensive side, junior Lily Barron and sophomore Mattie Casale paced the team with 12 digs each.

Houston started strong with an early 7-0 run, extending the lead to eight to take a 12-4 lead. Texas Southern responded with a 5-0 run of their own, but Houston would hold onto a lead late, using a late 5-0 run to take the first set, 25-16.

The second set was back and forth as both teams traded the lead with four ties early. Houston would go on a 3-0 run to take a lead, and another 5-0 run by Houston took the Cougars into the media timeout with a 15-7 lead. The run would extend to 9-0, with Houston going up by as much as 14, and ultimately closing the second set at 25-14.

Houston kept its momentum going with a 5-0 run pulling ahead to an early 7-3 lead to begin the third set. Texas Southern would battle back using a 3-0 run to take a 19-18 lead. However, Houston would go on a crucial 3-0 run late to reclaim the lead and eventually secure the third set, 25-23.

GAME TWO VS ABILENE CHRISTIAN

The Cougars battled to a five-set victory over the Wildcats, rallying behind Casale's 24 digs and a double-double by junior Kamille Gibson.

Houston stamped its mark on the first set hitting .321 with Jones leading the team with four kills in the set. After the Cougars took a 7-6 lead early in the set, a pair of 4-0 runs extending the lead eventually claiming the set 25-13.

A strong defensive performance in the second set highlighted by four team blocks and 18 digs extended the Cougars lead in the match to 2-0. Houston never trailed in the set, with the set ending on Jones' fifth kill of the set.

Abilene Christian would cut the lead in half hitting a scorching .483 in a tight set that saw the Wildcats edge the Cougars 25-23 making the score 2-1.

The Wildcats would continue its momentum into the fourth set behind junior Maddie Finnegan's six kills. In a set where neither team could extend a lead beyond two points, the Wildcats edged out a 28-26 set win behind consecutive kills from junior Avery Thaler and Finnegan.

Following an Abilene Christian point to start the fifth set, the Cougars gained control of the set by way of a 4-0 run. Houston would not relinquish its lead with Edson ending the match with an ace winning the final set 15-12.

STANDOUT COUGARS (Stats accumulated from both games)

Mattie Casale: 36 digs, 9 assists, 2 aces

Alexis Roberson: 13 kills, .462 hit percentage, 5 total blocks

Sydney Jones: 36 kills, .329 hit percentage, 10 digs

UP NEXT
Houston closes the Houston Invitational against Houston Christian at 6:30 p.m., Friday. Fans are encouraged to dress like royalty for Princess Night at the Fertitta Center.

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