University of Houston
Southern Miss
Volleyball Upset in Opening Round of C-USA Tournament
11/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 15, 2007
Huntington, W. Va. - The University of Houston volleyball team was upset in the opening round of the Conference USA Volleyball Tournament in four games by Southern Miss on Thursday.
The Cougars lost with scores of 27-30, 30-21, 28-30, and 30-32 at the Cam Henderson Center on the Marshall University campus.
Houston was led by junior Justine Farmer and freshman Lucy Charuk. Farmer recorded 14 kills and 12 digs; while Charuk had a team-high 15 kills.
Despite ten tie scores and three lead changes the Cougars were never able to swing the momentum their way in route to a 27-30 loss in game one of their opening match. Houston was held to a .070 hitting percentage and just 13 kills.
After a game one loss, UH returned to even the score 1-1 in game two. The Cougars used an 8-0 run midway through the game to extend their lead, 25-14. It would be just enough to hold off a late surge by the Golden Eagles and Houston would win the game on a Farmer kill. Farmer led her team with six kills in the second game and nine through games one and two.
Returning from the break, Houston allowed Southern Miss to take an early 7-1 lead in game three. They battled the entire game before tying the game 28-28 but it wasn't enough as the Cougars fell 28-30. Farmer was held to no kills in the game and Charuk had four to lead Houston.
With one final chance to even the score and force a fifth game, Houston took an early 11-10 lead but the Golden Eagles battled back to regain the lead, 15-14, on a Houston rotation error. From that point on both teams battled close the entire way before Southern Miss pulled away for the eventual win in extra points.
The Golden Eagles were led by Morgan Johnson's 17 kills and 11 digs.
With the loss, Houston was eliminated from the tournament. This is the first time since 2001 that the Cougars lost their first match of the tournament. UH ends the season with a 13-15 record and 8-8 in conference play.
