Houston’s Upset Bid over Top-25 UCF Falls Short

Friday, October 26

Orlando, Fla.

6 p.m. CT

University of Houston

14-11, 1-9

No. 25 UCF

19-3, 10-0

HOUSTON

UCF

Photo by: Stephen Pinchback

10/26/2018 9:02:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Cougars lead 2-1 in the match

By: Ryan Levine

ORLANDO, Fla. – Facing its first top-25 opponent of the season, the University of Houston Volleyball team held a 2-1 match lead over No. 25 UCF, but came up short of the ultimate prize, as the Knights won the match 3-2 (20-25, 25-20, 25-20, 14-25, 10-15).

Following Friday night's match, the Cougars sit at 14-11 on the 2018 campaign and 1-9 in The American, while the Knights move to 19-3 and 10-0 in conference play.

HOUSTON 2, UCF 3

HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
After UCF jumped out to an early six-point lead to start the contest, Houston climbed its way back into it, using an 8-4 run to trim the deficit to 16-14. The Cougars found themselves as close as a point at 18-17, courtesy of a block from senior middle blocker Chenelle Walker and sophomore outside hitter Silvia Pertens. From there, the Knights closed the set on a 7-3 run to win the opening set 25-20.

Set 2
The Cougars responded right away in the second set, coming out with a blistering hitting percentage of .444. That hot start, allowed Houston to build itself a four-point advantage, but UCF came back with a run to cut the Cougar lead to 12-10. After the Cougars put together their own rebuttal, Houston rode its momentum to a 25-20 set victory that tied the match score at the intermission.

Set 3
Houston took its energy from the second set and carried it over to the third, as the Cougars came out with a 9-5 lead. The Cougars then stretched their advantage to eight at 20-12, thanks to the team's .308 hitting percentage at that point in the frame. After UCF trimmed the lead all the way to just three, Houston bounced right back and scored the final two points of the set to win the frame 25-20 and go up 2-1 in match play.

Set 4
As the two teams traded blows to start the fourth, it was UCF who found itself slightly ahead, holding a two-point lead. Once the Knights stretched their advantage to 17-11, the Cougars were forced to call a timeout, but were unable to respond adequately, as UCF went on to win 25-14 and take the match to a fifth set.

Set 5
The Cougars were kept pace with the Knights' high octane offense for the first part of the final set, yet with a two-point deficit, Houston was forced to call a timeout at 7-5. Houston brought the score to within one, courtesy of a kill from junior outside hitter Megan Duncan, but the Cougars were unable to climb the ultimate hurdle and fell to the Knights 15-10.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

UCF trailed 2-1 on its home floor for the first time this season.
Tonight marked the eighth time this year in which at least three Cougars have recorded 10 or more digs in the same match.
10 of the 11 Cougars that checked into the match registered a dig.
Sophomore setter Abby Irvine finished the night with 46 assists, her second 40-assist match in as many contests. Irvine also tallied her team-high 10^th double-double of the season with her 11 assists.
Junior outside hitter Megan Duncan posted her ninth double-double of the season with her team-best 17 kills and 14 digs.
Sophomore outside hitter Silvia Pertens led all players with her .300 hitting percentage. She finished the night with 12 kills.
Senior middle blocker Chenelle Walker recorded a season-high eight blocks.
Redshirt sophomore Kylie Napoleon dug out a season-high 11 balls.

UP NEXT
The Cougars wrap up their road trip on Sunday, Oct. 28 when Houston travels to Tampa, Fla. and faces USF. First serve for that contest is slated for 11 a.m. CT.

Houston returns home on Friday, Nov. 2, when the Cougars host Tulane at 7 p.m. CT inside the Athletics/Alumni Center.

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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