Houston Sweeps Rice in Home Opener

HOUSTON – After falling to RV Rice in five sets on Saturday, the University of Houston Volleyball team avenged its heartbreaking defeat and bounced back to sweep the Owls on Sunday in straight sets (25-23, 21-25, 27-25).
 
The win marked the first of the season for the Cougars, who improve to 1-1 on the year, while the Owls fall to 1-1 as well. Sunday's victory for Houston was also its first over Rice since Nov. 16, 2012, when the Cougars took down the Owls 3-2 in the Conference USA Tournament.
 
Houston found itself in a tight battle throughout the contest, as the score was tied 20 times, with the largest lead from both sides being just six points. Junior outside hitter Kortlyn Henderson and sophomore right-side hitter Celeste Darling led the way for the Cougars, each notching 10 kills in the match.
 
Defensively, Houston saw three players surpass the 10-dig mark. Junior libero Torie Frederick posted a team-high 13 digs, while sophomore outside hitter Abbie Jackson posted 12 and freshman defensive specialist Sarah Martinez logged 10. Junior middle blocker Isabel Theut showed her presence at the net, recording four blocks on the afternoon. Houston 3, RV Rice 0
Set 1

• Despite Rice holding a slight edge early, the Cougars kept the score close, trailing 8-7.
• Houston was forced to call a timeout after Rice put together a five-point lead, 16-11.
• The Cougars responded from the timeout to pull within two after a dump off from freshman setter Annie Cooke.
• Houston climbed back and scored five of the final six points to take the first set, 25-23.

Set 2

• A block at the net from Darling quickly put the Cougars out in front, 6-3.
• After Rice fought back to tie the score, sophomore middle blocker slammed home her fifth of eight total kills to pull Houston in front by a score, 11-10.
• The second service ace from Cooke in as many days stretched the Cougar lead to 21-19, where they never looked back to take the 25-21 set.

Set 3

• The trend of neither team gaining a significant edge on the other continued, with the score knotted at six.
• Rice then went on a 7-2 run, before another dump off from Cooke ended the Owls' rally.
• After Houston regained the lead, a double block from Theut and Darling put the Cougars in front 18-16, forcing a Rice timeout.
• The Owls found a rebuttal and tied the score five more times before the Cougars were able to finally pull away and take the 27-25 victory.

UP NEXT
Houston hosts Stephen F. Austin on Thursday inside the Athletics/Alumni Center for  doubleheader scheduled to begin a 1 p.m.
 
With no fans in attendance, those wishing to watch Houston's home matches can do so by viewing Houston's contests on its Facebook page here. STAY CONNECTED
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