University of Houston Athletics
Preview: Volleyball Continues Road Rivalry
9/5/2013 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sep 5, 2013
| Houston at Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic | |
|---|---|
| Location | Lafayette, La. |
| Stadium | Earl K. Long Gym |
| Match Times | Friday, Sept. 6 vs. Alcorn State - 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 vs. Nicholls State - 10 a.m. at Louisiana-Lafayette - 6 p.m. |
| Live Stats | Live Stats |
| Game Notes | Houston Notes  |
| Social Media |   |
HOUSTON - The University of Houston volleyball team continues its road stint this weekend as the Cougars travel to Lafayette, La. for the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Volleyball Classic hosted by Louisiana-Lafayette.
On Friday, the squad meets Alcorn State at 4 p.m. Alcorn State is under new coaching staff as Jessica Harris was recently hired to take over after spending two years at the helm of Spelman College's program. The program lost its season opener Tuesday against Louisiana-Lafayette, 3-0.
The Cougars continue tournament play with a match against Nicholls State on Saturday at 10 a.m. Head coach Tommy Harold is also in his first season with the Colonels. Houston leads the series 2-1 after they swept Nicholls State in 2010.
Houston will play the final match of the tournament Saturday against host team Louisiana-Lafayette at 6 p.m. Head coach Heather Mazeitis-Fontenot is in her fifth season with the Ragin' Cajuns. Last season she led her team to a 16-16 finish. Houston is undefeated over Louisiana (3-0), last coming during a 2002 three-game sweep.
STARTING ON A GOOD NOTE
Houston Volleyball started the 2013 season on a high note, winning two of three matches during the Delta Zeta Classic hosted by Texas State. Last season, the Cougars were 1-9 under head coach Kaddie Platt during the non-conference schedule.
The squad swept Quinnipiac in the first meeting. Houston recorded a .455 hitting average against the Bobcats in the first set, defeating them 25-8. After winning the one-hour match, the Cougars were the first of the American Athletic Conference to win a match in the inaugural season. Houston also notched 12 services aces against Quinnipiac.
Houston had a strong defensive outing against Lamar in the second match of the tournament and season. Libero Natalie Keck recorded 16 digs of the teams 50 total digs.
NEWCOMERS LEAD THE WAY
Houston started off the season 2-1 during the Delta Zeta Classic hosted by Texas State. Setter Sophie Paine recorded 101 assists in three matches. She had a season high of 46 (in four sets) against Lamar. The last time a player reached 100 or more assists in the first three matches of the season was Caitlin Ogletree in 2011.
Freshman Sarita Mikals recorded 34 kills in three matches all of which she has started. She has averaged at least 10 kills per match, (3.40/set). The last time a Cougar freshman recorded over 30 kills in the first three matches of the season was Justine Farmer in 2005. Mikals also leads the team in points scored (40.0). She recorded her first collegiate double double against Texas Southern (Sept. 3, 2013) with 17 kills and 13 digs.
Cortney Warren leads the Cougars in Kills (57), attack percentage (.236), kills per set, (4.04), and total attempts (144). She was named to the Delta Zeta Classic All-Tournament team and the American Athletic Conference Player of the Week honor roll for week one. During a mid-week match with Texas Southern, Warren recorded 22 kills, leading the conference in match highs this season.
TCU TOURNAMENT
Next weekend, Houston travels to the Fort Worth, Texas for the TCU Nike Invitational Sept. 13-14.
The Cougars face four opponents in two days of play. On Friday, the squad plays Grambling State at 2 p.m. and host team TCU at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, volleyball matches up with Ole Miss at Noon and Stephen F. Austin to close out road tournament play.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Volleyball on Twitter @UHCougarVB and "Like" /HoustonCougarVolleyball on Facebook. Houston Volleyball is now on Istagram as well, UHCougarVB.
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Fans can now purchase Houston Volleyball Season Tickets for just $50. To take advantage of this offer, CLICK HERE or call 713-GO-COOGS today!
