University of Houston Athletics
PREVIEW: Volleyball Opens Conference Play Friday
9/23/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
| 
HOUSTON â€" The University of Houston Volleyball team opens the 2015 American Athletic Conference season this weekend as the Cougars host SMU and Tulsa.
The Cougars (10-2, 0-0) host SMU (10-2, 0-0) Friday evening starting at 7 p.m. in the Athletics/Alumni Center. On Sunday, Tulsa (5-7, 0-0) travels to Houston for a 1 p.m. serve.
"We are excited to start conference play. The American Athletic Conference is a super competitive volleyball conference and we are ready to compete and make our mark in the AAC," Head Coach Kaddie Platt said. "It is a long time coming throughout the spring, summer and fall and we cannot wait to get started."
Sunday, Sept. 27
• Sunday Serve Contest sponsored by Pink's Pizza
• Hike & Spike Ticket Deal: Show your football ticket from the day before and get in to volleyball for only $4 (valid for Sunday's game)
• Camper Reunion Day (all campers and their parents from this summer can purchase $2 tickets)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
QUICK HITS ON HOUSTON
« Houston Volleyball claimed the Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup championship with a 3-2 win over Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday to close out the pre-conference season.
« Houston opens 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 placed in the top two in all four tournaments this season:
Texas Tech Fall Invitational | 2nd |
Sawyer Camillo Memorial | 1st |
North Texas Invitational | 2nd |
Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup | 1st |
« Senior libero Olivia O'Dell was named to the American Athletic Conference Honor Roll for the fourth consecutive weekly award. She was named the Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup MVP for her outstanding performance and leadership on the court.
« Freshman outside hitter Brookah Palmer was named to the Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup all-tournament team and has now earned all-tournament honors at all four this season.
LAST TIME OUT
Houston Volleyball opened the Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup with a three-set sweep over Nicholls State on Friday. Palmer led Houston with 12 kills, hitting .333, while junior Hunter Wise followed with 10 kills (.304). The Cougars front row defense posted a season best 10.0 team blocks led by redshirt freshman Chenelle Walker who posted six blocks.
The Cougars closed Friday with another exciting three-set sweep over Alabama A&M in front of a packed house. Former UH great Rose Magers-Powell, current head coach of Alabama A&M, brought her team back to remember her teammate and for great competition. Palmer recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 14 kills and 10 digs against the Bulldogs. Walker was almost unstoppable down the middle as she tallied a hitting average of .625.
Finally, Houston claimed the Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup title with a five-set win over Southeastern Louisiana to close out the tournament and the non-conference schedule.
SMU MUSTANGS
SMU enters the American Athletic Conference play with a three-match win streak. The Mustangs swept Clemson, defeated TCU in five and took a 3-1 win over UTSA to claim the SMU Doubletree Invitational last weekend at their home court.
SMU upset No. 18 San Diego at the UC Santa Barbara tournament two weeks ago and is now receiving votes in the AVCA Coaches Poll.
• Series Record: SMU leads 14-11
• Last Meeting: Nov. 2, 2014 - SMU 3, UH 0
TULSA GOLDEN HURRICANE
Tulsa enters the weekend after a 5-7 start in non-conference play. Tulsa went 2-1 at its own tournament last weekend, dropping in three to North Texas. Junior OH Erica Bohannon returns for the Golden Hurricane as their top hitter.
• Series Record: Tulsa leads 13-6
• Last Meeting: Oct. 31, 2014 - Tulsa 3, UH 1
DIG IT OUT
Senior Olivia O'Dell continues to impress as she was named to the American Athletic Conference Honor Roll, marking her fourth consecutive weekly honor. The libero was recently named the Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup MVP for her performance last weekend.
O'Dell has totaled 253 digs, averaging 5.75 digs per set. She is now ranked in the top 10 nationally for most digs per set. She has tallied 20+digs in seven matches and double-digit dig performances in all 12 matches this season.
National Rank | Category | Conf. Rank |
6th | Digs per set (5.75) | 1st |
25th | Total Digs (253) | 2nd |
NEWCOMER STUD
Freshman outside hitter Brookah Palmer has been a great six-rotation addition for the Cougars. She has posted 20+kills in four matches, double-digit kills in 11 matches and has recorded four 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 |
69th | Aces per set (0.41) | 2nd |
51st | Attacks per set (10.93) | 1st |
14th | Kills per set (4.55) | 1st |
11th | Points per set (5.19) | 1st |
73rd | Service Aces (18) | 2nd |
28th | Total Kills (200) | 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
