University of Houston
UL-Lafayette
Cougars Take Season Opener, 3-1
8/26/2016 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
HOUSTON - Houston Volleyball rebounded strong after dropping the opening set to capture a 3-1 (23-25, 25-16, 26-24, 25-19) season-opening victory over Louisiana-Lafayette as part of the Marriott Houston Westchase Invitational on Friday afternoon inside Sharp Gym.
Junior outside hitter Brianna Lynch led the Cougars (1-0) with a double-double performance, posting 11 kills and 10 digs. Freshman right side Megan Duncan recorded 10 kills against the Rajin Cajuns, while junior middle blocker Shelby Harper turned in eight behind a team-high .615 attack percentage. Junior outside hitter Sarah Afflerbaugh also finished with eight kills. Houston outhit ULL .215-.100.
Setters Katie Krebs and Keandra McCardell each did their part to captain the offense. Krebs recorded a career-high 20 assists and seven digs, while McCardell finished with 18 assists and nine digs.
Freshman libero Katie Karbo recorded a match-high 28 digs.
Sophomore middle blocker Chenelle Walker recorded a match-high seven block assists to accompany six kills.
The first set quickly proved to be a back and forth affair, as neither team led by more than three points across the entire match. Tied 23-23, the Cajuns got a kill and service aces to steal take a 1-0 lead.
The Cougars rode the big-swinging arms of Afflerbaugh and Duncan to turn in a match-high .367 clip and easily cruise to a 25-16 victory in set two.
With no intermission, both teams jumped right into the third set. Tied 11-11, Houston was able to capitalize on kills from Duncan (2) and Harper and ULL miscue to take a five point lead. However, the Cajuns closed the gap tied the match at 24-all, before a kill from lynch and ULL attack error closed the set, 26-24.
The Cougars struggled to start out of the gates in the fourth set, but rallied to go on a 5-1 run and claim a 13-12 edge. With the lead in hand, Houston's momentum continued to surge to the 25-19 final.
With the win, the Cougars improve to 32-11 all-time in season openers dating back to 1974 (no results available prior to 1974) and picked up their fourth straight under head coach Kaddie Platt.
The Cougars will close the tournament with two matches on Saturday. Houston will face Weber State at 10 a.m., before taking on tournament host Houston Baptist at 7 p.m.
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SHASTA PASS
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