University of Houston
<b> Wichita State </b>
Volleyball Drops Opener to Wichita State
8/27/2005 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 26, 2005
Wichita State - Houston Box Score
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HOUSTON - The Cougar volleyball team opened the 2005 season with a 3-0 setback at the hands of Wichita State (23-30, 24-30, 26-30) on Friday night at the Athletics/Alumni Center.
"Obviously you want a win, everybody feels better after a win," head coach Bill Walton said."I was extremely happy with our service reception, I thought we did that well tonight."
The Shockers (1-0) had three players contributing double-digit kills paced by Cori Meyer with 14 on a .312 attack percentage. Jen Ray added 11 kills and seven blocks. In the back row, Kelly Broussard and Angela Jakubov each contributed 16 digs.
Kariny Ritter led Houston (0-1) with a double-double smacking 10 kills, and pulled out 13 digs. Kelly McAnelly led the offense chipping in 13 kills. In her Cougar debut, Kelli Adams dropped in a team-high 20 assists.
Game one was a back and forth affair. The game featured 10 ties, and five lead changes.
Houston took an 19-17 advantage on a kill by Becca Sartori. Wichita State responded with a 5-0 spurt grabbing a 22-19 lead of their own.
The Cougars fought back forcing a Shocker attack error to cut the deficit to 22-21, but WSU scored eight of the next 10 points to take the opening game, 30-23.
The second game was also nip and tuck. Justine Farmer ripped a kill to give Houston a 21-20 edge. WSU was able to regroup after a timeout with a 6-0 run capped by back-to-back kills by Meyer.
Another Farmer kill drew the Cougars within 27-24, but the Shockers pulled away for a 30-24 victory.
"It was shaky tonight," Farmer said. "But the more we play together, the more cohesive we will become."
Coming out of the locker room, the Shockers took control at the net snatching an early 18-9 lead in game three.
Houston charged back on consecutive kills by McAnelly to get within 24-17. A kill by Sartori put the Cougars down 28-24, but Wichita State emerged with the sweep at 30-26.
"We've got to relax, play hard, and make the critical points when it counts," Walton said. "We have seven matches at home to start the season so hopefully we can get some things worked out."
The Cougars hit the hardwood tomorrow against Stephen F. Austin and Texas Tech. Houston hooks up with the Ladyjacks at 1 p.m. before taking on the Red Raiders in the nightcap. First serve against Texas Tech is set for 8 p.m.
Individual tickets for both matches can be purchased at the door for $5. UH students can get in free to the Cougar matches using their Cougar 1Card.
Cougar Bytes
Tonight marked the first time that Wichita State was able to defeat Houston in volleyball ... The Cougars still lead the all-time series against the Shockers, 2-1 .... Two freshmen, Kelli Adams and Justine Farmer, were in the opening day starting line-up ... Adams paced the Cougars dishing out 20 assists ... The double-double for Kariny Ritter was the eighth in her career ... Ritter has now posted a double-double in three consecutive matches dating back to last season ... With her 23 digs, Jaci Gonzalez has now totaled over 20 digs in her past four matches, while Kelly McAnelly extended her double-digit kill streak to four matches.
