PREVIEW: Houston to Host Memphis, Cincinnati
10/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
HOUSTON -- Houston Volleyball returns to the Athletics/Alumni Center for Week Four of the American Athletic Conference season this weekend.
The Cougars (14-4, 4-2 American) are set to host Memphis on Friday at 7 p.m. Houston closes the weekend with a 1 p.m. first serve on Sunday vs. Cincinnati. Sunday's match will serve as the annual Dig Pink match.
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PROMOTIONS
Friday, October 16: Camper Reunion Night
• $2 tickets for campers and their parents
• $2 popcorn bucket
Sunday, October 18: Dig Pink Match
• Pink UH Rubber Duckies to the first 250 fans
• Fans who wear pink to the game get in for discounted $4
• Sunday Serve Contest sponsored by Pink's Pizza
QUICK HITS ON HOUSTON
« Houston Volleyball enters the weekend off a 1-1 week on the road.
« Senior libero Olivia O'Dell had a record-setting performance as she tallied 47 digs, the most in school history, in the five-set win over Tulane (Oct. 7).
« O'Dell's performance set a new conference record and is the nation-leading performance in a five-set match. She was named the conference Defensive Player of the Week for the third time, marking her sixth league award of the season. She tallied 37 digs against USF (Oct. 2), the fifth most in school history.
« Houston opened the 2015 season 10-2 heading into conference play. This is the best start since the 1989 season when the program opened 12-2 leading into the Southwest Conference season.
« Houston posted a record of 13-3 after 16 matches for the first time since the 1994 season. The 1994 team went on the win the Southwest Conference regular season, the SWC tournament and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight.
MEMPHIS TIGERS
Memphis (11-8, 2-4 American) comes to Houston after dropping two straight to the Florida schools last weekend. The Tigers return 10 including three starters from the 2014 team.
• Series Record: UH leads, 25-11
• Last Meeting: Nov. 14, 2014 - Memphis 3, UH 0
CINCINNATI BEARCATS
Cincinnati enters the weekend after picking up two four-set wins over USF and UCF last weekend. The Bearcats are off to a better start this season (11-6, 3-3 American) and return four of the six starters from the 2014 season.
• Series Record: Series tied, 8-8
• Last Meeting: Nov. 16, 2014 - UH 3, Cincy 0
DIG IT OUT - Olivia O'Dell
Senior Olivia O'Dell jumped straight to the top of the record books and national stat leaderboards this week with an outstanding performance on Wednesday.
O'Dell earned her sixth league award and third Defensive Player of the Week honor this week after she posted a record breaking 47 digs in a five-set win over Tulane on Wednesday. She currently leads the nation for most digs in a single match (five sets).
O'Dell has totaled 415 digs, averaging 5.93 digs per set. She moved up to top five nationally in both categories with her 8.25 digs per set this week. She has tallied 20+digs in 10 matches and double-digit dig performances in all 18 matches this season. O'Dell has also reached 30+ digs in two matches this season.
National Rank | Category | Conf. Rank |
2nd | Digs per set (5.93) | 1st |
5th | Total Digs (415) | 1st |
NEWCOMER STUD
Freshman outside hitter Brookah Palmer has been a great six-rotation addition for the Cougars. She has posted 20+kills in five matches, double-digit kills in 17 matches and has recorded seven double-doubles so far this season.
Palmer was named the first Offensive Player of the Week for the 2015 season following her outstanding opening weekend.
National Rank | Category | Conf. Rank |
49th | Attacks per set (11.11) | 1st |
16th | Kills per set (4.41) | 1st |
17th | Kills SG Highs (309) | 1st |
19th | Points (350.5) | 1st |
15th | Points Per Set (5.01) | 1st |
34th | Total Attacks (778) | 2nd |
17th | Total Kills (309) | 1st |
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Volleyball on Twitter @UHCougarVB and "Like" /HoustonCougarVolleyball on Facebook. Houston Volleyball is now on Istagram as well, UHCougarVB.
SHASTA PASS
The Houston Fan Experience Headquarters is proud to offer the Shasta Pass for the 2015-16 athletic season. For just $50, Cougar fans can purchase one Shasta Pass, which allows season-long general admission entrance to all Houston Women's Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Softball home games.
The Shasta Pass offers Houston fans a substantial savings as single-game tickets start at $8 for all four sports. Fans can save $126 alone during the Houston Volleyball and Soccer seasons. To purchase a Shasta Pass, CLICK HERE.
JOIN POINT HOUSTON CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Volleyball program by joining the Point HOUSTON Club. To find out more information about the Point HOUSTON Club, visit UHCougars.com or call Cougar Price at (713) 743-GOUH
