University of Houston
UConn
Houston Wins Five-Set Thriller at UConn
10/29/2017 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
STORRS, Conn. -- The University of Houston Volleyball program bested UConn, 3-2 (15-25, 25-21, 25-19, 21-25, 15-11), on Sunday afternoon inside Guyer Gym.
With the win, the Cougars improve to 9-11 on the season and 5-7 in American Athletic Conference play, while the Huskies fall to 10-14 overall and 3-9 in league action.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
UConn hit a match-high .371 clip in taking the opening set, 25-15.
Set 2
The second set saw the two teams pull even on 13 points and swap the lead seve times late into the stanza. Trailing 21-20, senior outside hitter Sarah Afflerbaugh tied the match with a kill before four consecutive Husky attack errors sealed the set, 25-21, to even the match 1-1 at the break.
Set 3
In the third set, Houston turned in its best attack percentage with a .317 efficiency. Holding a 10-9 edge, the Cougars pulled away with a 5-1 run to force UConn to burn a timeout. Houston's lead never faltered the rest of the way for a 25-19 victory, capped off by a pair of service aces from senior middle Brianna Gardner to take a 2-1 set lead.
Set 4
Despite getting a service ace from freshman setter Abby Irvine to open the fourth set, Houston quickly fell behind 4-1. The Cougars rallied to cut the lead to one point at 6-5 before the Huskies answered with a 5-0 run. Houston made two more pushes but ultimately came up short as UConn took the set, 25-21, to extend the match.
Set 5
In the fifth set, Houston never trailed en route to a 15-11 victory to seal a 3-2 victory, the team's first five-set win of the season.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Afflerbaugh recorded her sixth double-double of the season and 13th of her career with a 15-kill, season-high 18-dig effort. Afflerbaugh's 15 kills also tied her season high. She added two service aces.
• Freshman setter Abby Irvine recorded her team-leading seventh double-double of the season with a 27-assist, 15-dig effort.
• Sophomore outside hitter Megan Duncan led all with 16 kills, her 10th time to lead the team on the season.
• Senior middle blocker Brianna Gardner and freshman outside hitter Silvia Pertens finished with eight kills and three blocks (all assisted), respectively. Duncan (two solo, one assisted) and redshirt junior middle blocker Chenelle Walker (all assisted) also finished with three blocks, while Gardner led the team with three service aces.
• Defensively, sophomore libero Katie Karbo recorded a match-high 23 digs, her 15th time to lead all players in digs on the season.
• Senior setter Keandra McCardell finished with 14 assists and five digs.
• Redshirt freshman defensive specialist Kylie Napoleon finished with 10 digs.
• The victory, Houston's first in a five-set match in 2017, marked the program's first win on the road since at HBU on Aug. 27, 2016, and first in The American since at Tulsa on Nov. 13, 2015.
UP NEXT
The Cougars will continue play in The American with home matches against SMU on Nov. 3 and Tulsa on Nov. 5.
SHASTA PASS
The Houston Athletics Ticket Office is once again proud to offer the Shasta Pass for the 2017-18 season. For just $80, Cougar fans can purchase one Shasta Pass, which allows season-long general admission entrance to all Houston Volleyball, Soccer, Women's Basketball and Softball home games.
The Shasta Pass offers Houston fans a substantial saving as single-game tickets start at $5 for all four sports. To purchase a Shasta Pass, call 713-GO-COOGS or Click Here.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Volleyball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarVB, and "Like" UHCougarVB on Facebook.
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 Pride at (713) 743-GoUH.
