University of Houston Athletics
Volleyball Hosts Matches This Weekend
10/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 13, 2004
HOUSTON -
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This week, the Houston women's volleyball team returns to the Athletics/Alumni Center on the main campus of the University of Houston to play host to a pair of Conference USA foes this Friday and Saturday.
After pulling off the first three-game sweep of the season over ECU and then downing Charlotte the next day, the Cougars stand at 3-1 in C-USA play as Cincinnati and No. 21 Louisville come to town.
First on the schedule is the Bearcats, who at 12-6 overall and 4-0 in conference, are emerging as one of the teams-to-beat in C-USA.
Cincinnati comes into Friday night's matchup riding a seven-game winning streak where they have lost only two games during the stretch. The Bearcats have yet to drop a single game against C-USA opponents, and have refused to allow more than 25 points in 3-of-12 games.
Senior Julie Depont leads the Bearcast with 312 kills on the year and an attack percentage of .240, while averaging 5.11 kills per outing. Dupont also ranks second on the squad for most digs, with 198 to her credit, one short of the team lead of 199 held by freshman Natalie Dossman.
All-time, the Cougars trail the Bearcats 5-6, but claimed a C-USA Tournament upset when they knocked out the No.1 seeded Bearcats last season, to advance to the semi-finals of the tournament.
For the fourth time this season, the Cougars will face an opponent ranked in the USA Today/CSTV Top-25 when the face No. 21 Louisville on Saturday.
The Cardinals are another hot team that is riding a six-match winning streak that includes one loss in a game during the stretch. Louisville comes into the match with a 14-2 record, including a 4-0 mark in C-USA play. The team's only loses coming to No. 19 Arizona and No. 24 Tennessee.
Leading the way for the Cardinals is the tandem of Lena Ustymenko and Bing Sun. Ustymenko has turned in 219 kills on the year while hitting, .265 and is third on the team in digs. Sun is averaging 3.59 kills per outing with 183 on the season and an attack percentage of .349.
In all, the team carries five girls with .300 attack percentages or better, including two who are hitting above .400 with 131 and 111 kills apiece.
Last season, the Cardinals took a four-game series from the Cougars in Louisville, pushing the Cardinals' all-time record over Houston to 4-11.
Both matches are scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start with Cincinnati on Friday, and Louisville on Saturday. Admission is free to the public.
