University of Houston
<b> UCF
Volleyball Makes Quick Work of UCF
10/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 8, 2006
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HOUSTON - Becca Sartori slapped 13 kills on 20 swings for a .550 attack percentage as the University of Houston volleyball rebounded with a sweep of UCF (30-28, 30-27, 30-19) Sunday afternoon in a Conference USA match at the Athletics/Alumni Center.
The Cougars (13-9, 4-3 C-USA) started a new home winning steak after having the nation's 11th-longest streak snapped by Southern Miss Friday night
Sartori also recorded six blocks. The Houston native now has 345 career blocks moving past Leslie Newell (Cincinnati, 2000-2004) and Chrissy Smith (Cincinnati, 1995-1997) in the Conference USA record book. She also now tied with Emily Bowers (Charlotte, 1996-1999) for the No. 26 slot in the C-USA record list.
"A good team has the ability to overcome their weaknesses and play to their strengths," head coach Bill Walton said. "Our focus for the rest of the season has to be to pay attention to detail, concentration and intensity. We may not be as big, fast or as strong as the teams we play. Our goal will be to execution our system better than the other team executes theirs."
Krystal Schulle dished out a match-best 37 assists, while Justine Farmer added her team-leading 15th double-double of the season, notching 13 kills and 13 digs. Akilah Grant-Sullivan chipped in six kills and a pair of blocks. Ashley Calhoun recorded 12 digs on the back row.
"We changed some things up offensively," Schulle said. "It really benefited us and gave us a chance to try some different things. We really needed put these last two conference losses behind us."
UCF (5-12, 1-5 C-USA) was paced by 10 kills from Schanell Neiderworder. Cassie Ramaekers added 10 digs for the Golden Knights in the loss.
Game one was a tight affair, featuring 13 ties and eight lead changes. Down 27-26, the Cougars turned up the defensive intensity getting a trio of blocks that featured Sartori. She started the run with a solo block then teamed with Schulle and Sunshine Misa-Uli to give the Cougars a 29-27 advantage. Houston forced a Golden Knight attack error to hold on for the 30-28 win.
The Cougars kept the momentum into game two building a 22-16 lead capped by a Schulle kill. UCF charged back and got within 28-27 on an ace from Lorin Lukas. Houston turned to Farmer, who powered home back-to-back kills for the 30-27 win.
UH continued its strong play in the third game jumping out to 18-11 advantage as Sartori fired in a pair of aces. The Golden Knights got within 20-16, but Houston responded scoring 10 of the final 13 points to clinch the match going away, 30-19. Sartori notched the final three kills of the match for the Cougars.
Houston opens a four-match road swing at Tulane for a 7pm Friday tilt before heading to UTEP for a 2pm Sunday match with the Miners.
"It's going to a total team effort to take our Houston personality on the road with us," Schulle said. "We'll have to bond together and convince ourselves that the opposing fans are cheering for us."
Cougar Notes
Houston improves to 3-0 all-time series against UCF ... Two of the three series wins have come with the two schools as Conference USA rivals ... The Cougars have won 12 of their last 13 matches inside of the Athletics/Alumni Center ... Seven of Houston's eight home wins this season have come via the sweep, including the last four ... Ashley Calhoun has reeled double-digit digs in 14 of her 19 starts at libero this season ... Justine Farmer added her team-leading 15th double-double of the season ... The sophomore compiled 15 double-double all of last season and now has 30 double-doubles for her career ... Farmer has powered home double-digit kills in 25 of her last 27 matches she has played in dating back to last season ... Becca Sartori fired in 13 kills and now has 1,220 career kills ... The Houston native is five kills shy of Julie Gates (1986-1989) for the No. 6 spot in program history ... Sartori also pulls within 72 kills from reaching the Top 30 in the C-USA record book ... With six blocks, Sartori has 345 career blocks moving past Leslie Newell (Cincinnati, 2000-2004) and Chrissy Smith (Cincinnati, 1995-1997) in the Conference USA record book ... She is now tied with Emily Bowers (Charlotte, 1996-1999) for the No. 26 slot in the C-USA record list and four blocks from Jazzmien Stephens (Southern Miss, 2002-2005) for the No. 25 spot ... Sartori also is one block shy from reaching Karina Faber (1990-92) for the No. 8 slot in the Houston record book ... With five block assists, Sartor has 301 block assists and is one away from Karina Faber (1990-92) for the No. 6 hole in the Houston record book ... With five kills, Kelly McAnelly now has 1,299 career kills and is 38 shy from Emily Leffers (1993-94, 1996-97) for the No. 4 position in program history ... The Houston native past Bridget Files (Southern Miss, 2000-2003) for the No. 29 spot in the Conference USA record book ... McAnelly now is 10 kills away from Chrissy Smith (Cincinnatie, 1995-1997) for the No. 28 hole ... With 20 attempts, McAnelly is 589 swings away from Debbie Vokes (1994-98) for the top spot in that category in the Houston record book.
