University of Houston Athletics
PREVIEW: 8th Annual Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup
9/16/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Match Notes 
| Season Stats | Tournament Central
HOUSTON -- In honor of her impact on the sport of volleyball and her career at UH, the Houston Volleyball program remembers Flo Hyman this weekend as the Cougars host the eighth annual Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup this weekend.
The Cougars welcome Nicholls State, Southeastern Louisiana, Alabama A&M, and Prairie View A&M for the two-day tournament.
On Friday, Houston is set to face Nicholls State at 3 p.m. for another matchup this season and wraps up the day with a 7:30 p.m. match against Alabama A&M.
Former Houston Volleyball member and current head coach of Alabama A&M Rose Magers-Powell returns to Houston for the first time since being inducted into the Hall of Honor.
"It is with mixed emotions that I am here," Powell said. "Flo was the most recognized player in the world. She was a statue of greatness on the court and a great friend. Every player in the country should know more about Flo and the character traits she displayed every day, on and off the court.
"I want to personally thank The Marfan Foundation for its work in educating athletes regarding this life-threatening genetic disorder and early, accurate diagnosis. Knowing the signs of this and related conditions can save lives. I am honored and humbled to be part of this legacy event, which Coach Kaddie Platt and Houston have continued to celebrate and support. The Flo Hyman Clinic provides youth the opportunity to receive high-level instruction as well as be exposed to Flo Hyman and the Houston legacy."
On Saturday, the Cougars close out the tournament with a match against Southeastern Louisiana at 12:30 p.m. Following the match, Houston will host the Flo Hyman Clinic for kids 8th grade and under.
| Gameday Central >> Houston Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup | ||
Date | Time | September 18-19, 2015 | |
Location | Athletics/Alumni Center Houston, Texas | |
Schedule | Friday, Sept. 18 3 pm - Nicholls State | | 7:30 pm - Alabama A&M | | Saturday, Sept. 19 12:30 pm - Southeastern La.| | | |
Social Media |    | |
FLORA `FLO' HYMAN
Flo Hyman was one of the greatest volleyball players. She revolutionized the game of volleyball and was such an inspiration to women in sports and African Americans across the United States.
Hyman came to Houston after only playing her senior year of high school. She was the first female to be awarded an athletic scholarship to play for the Cougars in 1974, but chose to share the funds with her teammates. Hyman left Houston after playing three years to pursue an opportunity to play with the United States Olympic volleyball squad. From 1972 to 1976, Hyman helped the team form into Olympic qualifiers and the favorites to win the 1980 Moscow games.
Following a successful career as a national team member, Hyman moved to Japan to play professionally with Team Daiei. During a match in January of 1986, Hyman collapsed on the court and passed away at the age of 31 from Marfan Syndrome.
Although her life was cut too short, Hyman did many great things on and off the court. She was an advocate for Title IX, the most famous push for gender equality in an educational environment, and revolutionized the sport she loved while opening doors for many female athletes that would follow in her footsteps.
Houston honors Hyman by naming the tournament after her not only for her time spent on the Houston campus, but also for everything she stood for and how she impacted women's sports, especially volleyball.
QUICK HITS ON HOUSTON
« Houston finished second in the North Texas Invitational behind Boise State last weekend in Denton, Texas.
« Marking the second time the Cougars have finished runner up in tournaments this season.
Texas Tech Fall Invitational | 2nd |
Sawyer Camillo Memorial | 1st |
North Texas Invitational | 2nd |
« Senior libero Olivia O'Dell was named the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week for this second consecutive week. She tallied 59 digs in 10 sets this weekend.
« Freshman outside hitter Brookah Palmer & junior right side Hunter Wise were named to the North Texas Invitational All-Tournament Team.
NICHOLLS STATE COLONELS
• Head Coach: Tommy Harold (Randolph Macon, `97) -- 3rd Season
• 2014 Results: 10-20 (6-10) | T-8th - Southland
• 2015 Results: 3-5 (0-0)
• Series Record: 4-1
• Last Meeting: Sept. 4, 2015 - Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic (Lafayette, La.) - UH 3, NSU 2
ALABAMA A&M LADY BULLDOGS
• Head Coach: Rose Powell (Martin Methodist College, `00) - 2nd Season
• 2014 Results: 13-20 (5-3) | SWAC
• 2015 Results: 1-10 (0-0)
• Series Record: First Meeting
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA LIONS
• Head Coach: Jim Smoot (Pepperdine, `79) -- 3rd Season
• 2014 Results: 11-18 (8-8) | 7th - Southland
• 2015 Results: 3-6 (0-0)
• Series Record: 3-0
• Last Meeting: Sept. 18, 2010 - UH 3, SELU 0
Olivia O'Dell
Senior Olivia O'Dell continues to impress as she was named the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week.
O'Dell has posted 20+digs in six matches and double-digit dig performances in all nine matches this season. She has tallied 200 digs for the season and ranks in the top five nationally for digs per set.
National Rank | Category | Conf. Rank |
5th | Digs per set (6.06) | 1st |
17th | Total Digs (200) | 1st |
Brookah Palmer
Freshman outside hitter Brookah Palmer has been a great six-rotation addition for the Cougars. She has posted 20+kills in three matches, double-digit kills in eight matches and has recorded three double-doubles so far this season.
Palmer was named the first Offensive Player of the Week for the 2015 season following her outstanding weekend.
National Rank | Category | Conf. Rank |
44th | Attacks per set (11.21) | 2nd |
17th | Kills per set (4.58) | 1st |
13th | Points per set (5.21) | 1st |
95th | Service Aces (14) | 2nd |
85th | Total Attacks (370) | 2nd |
32nd | Total Kills (151) | 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
