Season Review: Houston Volleyball
6/1/2021 10:21:00 AM | Volleyball
Cougars win The American West Division Title
HOUSTON – Despite a shortened season that ended up being played in the spring of 2021 due to COVID-19, Houston Volleyball continued its steep upward trajectory of success under the leadership of second-year Head Coach David Rehr.
For the second time in as many years, Rehr took the Cougar Volleyball program to heights that had not been seen in years, having won the American Athletic Conference West Division, the program's first title of any kind since joining the league in 2013. Although they were slated to finish third in the division in the preseason poll, this past season marked the second year in a row the Cougars finished higher in the conference standings than predicted in the preseason poll.
As a result of its success in The American, Houston qualified for the conference championship for the second time, becoming one of three schools to have appeared in every American Athletic Conference Championship.
During nonconference action, Houston made its presence known as a viable contender that can play against some of the best in the nation, having matched up against three teams who qualified for the NCAA Tournament (Rice, Baylor, Texas State). In the opening weekend, Houston collected its first win of the year sweeping RV Rice in its home opener, which sparked a rally of eight consecutive wins, including a 3-0 sweep of Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders were the first of two Big 12 opponents the Cougars welcomed to the UH campus, as Houston hosted No. 6 Baylor inside the Fertitta Center for a five-set thriller. Houston went toe-to-toe with the perennial national powerhouse Lady Bears, holding 2-0 match lead in the contest, but the upset bid was spoiled with Baylor fighting back to the win match.
In competition against league foes, Houston wasted no time leaping its way to the top of the conference standings, wining its first eight games to hold an 8-0 record in conference play for the first time since the turn of the century. As a result of the strong start, the Cougars would finish the league with more wins than any other team in The American, ending the season with a 9-1 mark.
Much of Houston's success this season was attributed to the individual accomplishments of its players throughout the year, as the Cougars saw four different players receive a conference Player of the Week honors, marking the second consecutive year such a task has been achieved. When the Cougars swept The American's weekly honors on March 8, Houston became the first school to do so since SMU on Oct. 24, 2016.
At the end of the year, Houston was recognized by the league's coaches with a plethora of honors, as five Cougars were awarded a total of seven conference accolades. Houston's five All-Conference honorees were more than any other school in The American.
Freshman Annie Cooke spearheaded Houston's awards, being named the American Athletic Conference Freshman and Setter of the Year. Cooke's honors made her the first Cougar to earn a conference specialty accolade since Jaci Gonzalez won Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year in 2005. She was also Houston's first Freshman of the Year recipient since Michelle Frazier in 1997.
Cooke was one of three Cougars named to The American All-Conference First Team, joining junior Kortlyn Henderson and sophomore Abbie Jackson. Jackson was a unanimous First-Team selection. Aside from Houston's program-record five All-Conference honorees, the Cougars' three All-Conference First Team members were the most in program history as well.
Junior Torie Frederick and sophomore Rachel Tullos were also acknowledged for their efforts this season, being tabbed to The American All-Conference Second Team. This was the second All-Conference accolade of Tullos' career.
With every one of Houston's All-Conference honorees returning, along with wave of talented newcomers being brought in, the Cougars are primed for another run at an American Athletic Conference title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament in 2021.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Volleyball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarVB, and "Like" UHCougarVB on Facebook.
JOIN POINT HOUSTON CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Volleyball program by joining the Point HOUSTON Club. To find out more information about the Point HOUSTON Club, visit UHCougars.com or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH.
– UHCougars.com –
For the second time in as many years, Rehr took the Cougar Volleyball program to heights that had not been seen in years, having won the American Athletic Conference West Division, the program's first title of any kind since joining the league in 2013. Although they were slated to finish third in the division in the preseason poll, this past season marked the second year in a row the Cougars finished higher in the conference standings than predicted in the preseason poll.
As a result of its success in The American, Houston qualified for the conference championship for the second time, becoming one of three schools to have appeared in every American Athletic Conference Championship.
During nonconference action, Houston made its presence known as a viable contender that can play against some of the best in the nation, having matched up against three teams who qualified for the NCAA Tournament (Rice, Baylor, Texas State). In the opening weekend, Houston collected its first win of the year sweeping RV Rice in its home opener, which sparked a rally of eight consecutive wins, including a 3-0 sweep of Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders were the first of two Big 12 opponents the Cougars welcomed to the UH campus, as Houston hosted No. 6 Baylor inside the Fertitta Center for a five-set thriller. Houston went toe-to-toe with the perennial national powerhouse Lady Bears, holding 2-0 match lead in the contest, but the upset bid was spoiled with Baylor fighting back to the win match.
In competition against league foes, Houston wasted no time leaping its way to the top of the conference standings, wining its first eight games to hold an 8-0 record in conference play for the first time since the turn of the century. As a result of the strong start, the Cougars would finish the league with more wins than any other team in The American, ending the season with a 9-1 mark.
Much of Houston's success this season was attributed to the individual accomplishments of its players throughout the year, as the Cougars saw four different players receive a conference Player of the Week honors, marking the second consecutive year such a task has been achieved. When the Cougars swept The American's weekly honors on March 8, Houston became the first school to do so since SMU on Oct. 24, 2016.
At the end of the year, Houston was recognized by the league's coaches with a plethora of honors, as five Cougars were awarded a total of seven conference accolades. Houston's five All-Conference honorees were more than any other school in The American.
Freshman Annie Cooke spearheaded Houston's awards, being named the American Athletic Conference Freshman and Setter of the Year. Cooke's honors made her the first Cougar to earn a conference specialty accolade since Jaci Gonzalez won Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year in 2005. She was also Houston's first Freshman of the Year recipient since Michelle Frazier in 1997.
Cooke was one of three Cougars named to The American All-Conference First Team, joining junior Kortlyn Henderson and sophomore Abbie Jackson. Jackson was a unanimous First-Team selection. Aside from Houston's program-record five All-Conference honorees, the Cougars' three All-Conference First Team members were the most in program history as well.
Junior Torie Frederick and sophomore Rachel Tullos were also acknowledged for their efforts this season, being tabbed to The American All-Conference Second Team. This was the second All-Conference accolade of Tullos' career.
With every one of Houston's All-Conference honorees returning, along with wave of talented newcomers being brought in, the Cougars are primed for another run at an American Athletic Conference title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament in 2021.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Volleyball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarVB, and "Like" UHCougarVB on Facebook.
JOIN POINT HOUSTON CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Volleyball program by joining the Point HOUSTON Club. To find out more information about the Point HOUSTON Club, visit UHCougars.com or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH.
– UHCougars.com –