University of Houston
SMU
Houston Volleyball Sweeps SMU
9/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Final Stats | Season Stats | Box Score 
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Volleyball team had an impressive showing Friday night as the Cougars swept SMU (25-17, 29-27, 25-23) to pick up the first American Athletic Conference win of the season.
Houston improves to 11-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play while SMU drops to 10-3, 0-1 in league play.
Friday night's win marks the first time the Cougars defeated SMU since Oct. 4, 2008. The last time Houston swept SMU was on Oct. 7, 2007 in Dallas, Texas.
The Cougars opened the match with a strong 25-17 win in the first set. Houston hitters combined for 17 kills, hitting .317 in the first set while the Cougar defense held SMU to hitting just .103.
In set two, Houston led the set once again as the Cougars jumped out to a 10-7 lead forcing an SMU timeout. From there, the teams went point-for-point until the Mustangs tied the set up 17-17. Head Coach Kaddie Platt used her first timeout of the set to slow SMU's momentum. SMU continued to stretch its lead and forced another UH timeout.
Down 22-18, Houston responded with two kills and a solo block by freshman Brookah Palmer. Back-to-back SMU errors made it 24-24, forcing extra points. The teams went back and forth tying the set and taking the lead until Houston captured the win, 29-27, with back-to-back kills from sophomore Sarah Afflerbaugh and Palmer.
After a 10-minute intermission, SMU and Houston returned to the court for the third set. SMU came out swinging as the Mustangs went on a 7-2 run to open the third set. SMU held onto the lead for most of the set, but the Cougars never settled.
Houston tied up the set 16-16 after forcing several SMU errors and laying down great kills by the Cougars front attack. Once again, the teams battled back and forth. SMU led 23-22 after a big double block, but the Cougars went on to score the next three points off a kill by afflerbaugh, a double block from Chenelle Walker and Palmer. Palmer sealed the win with a bomb into SMU's side.
Palmer led the Cougars with 18 kills, hitting .333, two blocks and seven digs. Junior Hunter Wise followed with 13 kills (.444). Senior libero Olivia O'Dell recorded 17 digs in the three set match.
NEXT SERVE
Houston Volleyball continues league play as the Cougars host Tulsa (5-7, 0-0) on Sunday at 1 p.m.
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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
