Houston Sets Eyes for Pair of Weekend Matchups

Friday, October 26

Orlando, Fla.

6 p.m. CT

University of Houston

No. 25 UCF

Photo by: Stephen Pinchback

10/25/2018 2:28:00 PM | Volleyball

Cougars face first top 25 team of the season

By: Ryan Levine

Weekend Notes

HOUSTON – Coming off its come-from-behind, upset victory over Wichita State, the University of Houston Volleyball team hits the road this weekend for a pair of matches against No. 25 UCF and USF.

The Cougars are squaring up against a top 25 opponent in back-to-back seasons and seeking the program's first top 25 win since 2006.

AT THE NET
Houston at No. 25 UCF
Friday, Oct. 26 | 6 p.m.
The Venue at UCF | Orlando, Fla.
Live Stats | Live Stream

Houston at USF
Sunday, Oct. 28 | 11 a.m.
The Corral | Tampa, Fla.
Live Stats | Live Stream

QUICK HITS

Houston's record this season has been attributed to the balanced attack the Cougars have received from a number of players. With 24 total double-doubles on the year, four different Cougars have recorded double-doubles, with at least one player reaching that mark in 10 of the past 12 matches, including all but two conference matches. Overall, Houston has had multiple players record a double-double in the same match seven times this season.
On more than one occasion, the Cougars have seen many of their players step up on both the offensive and defensive end. Houston has had three players reach the double-digit kill mark in the same match seven times this season, while four Cougars have surpassed the double-digit plateau in the same contest twice. Defensively, the Cougars have had 13 matches in which at least two players record 10 or more digs, including seven matches with three players accomplishing that task.
In its match against Wichita State, Houston saw a pair of breakout performances from sophomore setter Abby Irvine and freshman outside hitter Alexis Cheatum. While Cheatum tallied a career-best 23 kills in the contest, Irvine dished out a career-high 47 assists, helping her earn weekly honor roll honors from The American.
Irvine has also been on a tear as of late, recording a double-double in all but three matches in The American, including seven in her past 10 matches overall. In those 10 matches, Irvine has led the team with 6.31 assists per set while ranking second with 2.85 digs per frame. Against Tulane, Irvine posted the second 20-20 performance of her career, finishing the match with 21 assists and 20 digs.
To begin the 2018 campaign, the Cougars put together one of their best starts in program history, finishing non-conference play with a 13-2 record. Houston's undefeated, 8-0, record to start the season was also a feat that hadn't been accomplished since the 1987 year.
During that 15-game stretch, Houston garnered its share of All-Tournament honors, racking in a total of eight All-Tournament accolades during non-conference action. Senior setter Katie Krebs and junior outside hitter Megan Duncan earned MVP honors, while junior libero Katie Karbo, junior outside hitter Faith Squier and freshman Kendall Haywood each found a spot on an All-Tournament twice.

UP NEXT
Following its pair of contests in Florida, Houston returns to the Athletics/Alumni Center to square up with Tulane on Friday, Nov. 2. First serve for that matchup is slated for 7 p.m. CT.

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.

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