PREVIEW: Volleyball Wraps 2015 Season on the Road
11/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
HOUSTON -- Houston Volleyball closes out the 2015 season this week with a two-match road series at Cincinnati on Wednesday and at Memphis on Friday.
The Cougars kick off the week with a 6 p.m. (CT) first serve at Cincinnati inside Fifth Third Arena. On Black Friday, Houston is set to face Memphis at noon. The game time was moved up one hour to accommodate the Cougars' travel arrangements.
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QUICK HITS ON HOUSTON
« Houston Volleyball picked up two four-set wins to close out the home schedule for the 2015 season. The Cougars defeated Tulane on Wednesday before beating East Carolina on Senior Day.
« Senior libero Olivia O'Dell tallied 46 digs on the weekend. She has totaled 655 digs this season, moving into third in school history. O'Dell was named to the American Athletic Conference Weekly Honor Roll for her eighth award of the season.
« O'Dell also recorded her first career double-double with 22 digs and 12 assists in the four-set win over Tulane.
« Freshman outside hitter Brookah Palmer recorded her 14th double-double of the season with 17 kills and 10 digs against Tulane on Wednesday.
« Redshirt freshman Chenelle Walker had two outstanding performances last week as she tallied 24 kills, hitting .512, and 12 blocks in the two wins. Her attack average is the Cougars' match high for the season.
« 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 Southwest Conference play.
« 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.
CINCINNATI BEARCATS
Cincinnati (19-10, 11-7 The American) after three straight wins on the road. The Bearcats currently sit in third place in conference play, behind SMU and Temple.
In the last meeting, Cincinnati swept Houston during the Dig Pink match.
• Series Record: Cincinnati leads, 9-8
• Last Meeting: Oct. 18, 2015 - Cincy 3, UH 0
MEMPHIS TIGERS
Memphis (17-14, 8-10 The American) enters the week after splitting the weekend in florida. The Tigers swept UCF before dropping in four to USF on Sunday.
In the last meeting, the Tigers took a five-set win over Houston after the Cougars held a 2-0 lead into the half.
• Series Record: UH leads, 25-12
• Last Meeting: Oct. 16, 2015 - Memphis 3, UH 2
Olivia O'Dell
Senior Olivia O'Dell continues to move up the Houston record books and national stat leaderboards as she became the fourth Cougar in school history to record 600 digs in a single season.
O'Dell earned her eighth conference weekly honor when she was named to the American Athletic Conference Honor Roll.
Earlier this season, O'Dell posted a record-breaking 32 digs in a three-set match vs. Cincinnati (Oct.18), tying the nation's best in that category. She also set a new school and conference record with 47 digs in a five-set win over Tulane (Oct. 7). She currently leads the nation for most digs in a single match (five sets).
For the season totals, she moved up to top 10 nationally in total digs and digs per set.
National Rank | Category | Conf. Rank |
7th | Digs per set (5.65) | 2nd |
10th | Total Digs (655) | 2nd |
She has tallied 20+digs in 17 matches and double-digit dig performances in 28 of the 30 matches this season. O'Dell has also reached 30+ digs in three matches and 40+ digs in one match this season.
SINGLE SEASON | ||
3rd | Digs | 655 |
3rd | Digs Per Set | 5.65 |
CAREER | ||
6th | Digs | 1,521 |
9th | Digs Per Set | 3.23 |
Brookah Palmer
Freshman outside hitter Brookah Palmer has been a great six-rotation addition for the Cougars. She has posted 20+kills in six matches including one 30+ kill match, double-digit kills in 28 of the 30 matches and has recorded 14 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 |
17th | Service Aces (48) | 1st |
30th | Aces per set (0.42) | 1st |
22nd | Total Kills (485) | 1st |
22nd | Kills SG Highs (485) | 1st |
15th | Points (556.5) | 1st |
25th | Points per set (4.84) | 1st |
33rd | Total Attacks (1,276) | 2nd |
CHENILLE WALKER
Redshirt freshman Chenelle Walker has been a vital part to the Cougars' defense and middle attack. In the last two games alone, she has posted 12 blocks - five of which were solo blocks.
Walker also recorded a career high .571 hitting average in the four-set win over East Carolina on Friday. She has recently jumped into the national stats rankings.
National Rank | Category | Conf. Rank |
49th | Blocks (130) | 2nd |
100th | Blocks per set (1.13) | 2nd |
STAY CONNECTED
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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
