University of Houston
* Tulane
Green Wave Holds On To Defeat Cougars in Home Finale
11/12/2002 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 12, 2002
HOUSTON - Despite Jenny Tanneberger's 31 kills and 10 digs, the University of Houston volleyball team fell to Tulane 3-2 at Hofheinz Pavilion Tuesday night in an intense Conference USA match. The match marked Houston's last home contest of 2002 and was designated 'Senior Night.' The Cougars, who lost to the Green Wave 30-26, 30-28, 29-31, 29-31 and 15-7, are 16-10 overall and 6-5 in C-USA play.
Three-time 2002 Conference USA Player of the Week Tanneberger led all hitters with 31 kills and 10 digs for her eighth double-double this year. Laura Koster added 16 kills and nine digs for the Cougars while setter Donna Sellen added 57 assists, seven digs and five kills.
Four Cougars tallied double-digit digs with libero Jaci Gonzalez posting 26, Mirela Vasconcellos adding 21 and Ali Roberts contributing 11 to the defensive effort.
Tulane led by as many as nine in game one and five straight serves by Houston could not bring the squad close enough. The same occurred in game two as Tulane jumped out to a 10-5 lead and never looked back. Sellen served three straight to tie game two at 28, but two straight Green Wave kills sealed the game 30-28.
Houston came out from the break and jumped to 10-3. The Green Wave answered and came within one point at the 23-22 mark, but one kill and five straight serves by Tanneberger forced a Tulane timeout at the 27-23 mark. After another tie at 29, Houston scored the two straight and won game three, 31-29. Game four was going Houston's way until Tulane took over the serve and lead mid-game 16-15. Tanneberger's four straight kills brought Houston back up to 28- all and the Cougars held on for a game four win, 31-29. Tulane ousted Houston in the final game, capitalizing off Cougar errors to win 15-7.
Britney Hurst led the Green Wave (20-13, 8-4 C-USA) with 28 kills and 25 digs on the night. Deva Fowler contributed 19 kills, Anastasia Kenon had 17 and Kim Swafford added 12. Setter Kelli Dickson totaled 65 assists and 13 digs and a total of five players posted double-digit digs for the Green Wave.
Houston seniors Tanneberger, Sellen and Jane Anne Karasek were honored prior to the game alongside their teammates and family members.
The Cougars, who still lead the all-time series against Tulane 15-2, have already earned their 2002 Healthy Choice C-USA Tournament berth with two regular-season conference matches remaining. The Cougars will face Charlotte and East Carolina on the road November 15 and 16, respectively, in their final regular C-USA matches of the season. Match times are slated for 6 p.m.
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