Houston Set for Intrastate Contest with SMU

Friday, October 5

Dallas, Texas

7 p.m. CT

University of Houston

SMU

Photo by: Stephen Pinchback

10/4/2018 2:18:00 PM | Volleyball

SMU Notes

Cougars continue five-match road swing against Mustangs

By: Ryan Levine

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Volleyball team continues American Athletic Conference play, as the Cougars hit the road for the third time in as many matches to face intrastate rival SMU in Dallas, Texas on Friday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. CT.

AT THE NET
Houston at SMU
Friday, Oct. 5 | 7 p.m.
Moody Coliseum | Dallas, Texas
Live Stats | Live Stream

QUICK HITS

Despite being halted last weekend, Houston remains a force to be reckoned with on the offensive end, especially at the service line. Through their first 19 games of play, the Cougars average 1.66 aces per set which leads the conference and ranks 29th nationally.
As one of the two commanders of Houston's offense, sophomore setter Abby Irvine has been on a tear as of late, recording a double-double in all but one American contest. During that four-match stretch, Irvine leads the team with 4.38 assists per set to go along with 2.00 digs a frame.
To begin conference play, Houston matched up against Temple and UConn, where the Cougars saw a pair of talented freshmen show their promise for years to come in outside hitters Alexis Cheatum and Jordan Lockwood. While they both set career-highs in kills over the weekend, Cheatum led the Cougars with her 2.50 kills per set and contributed to a team-best 26.0 points. Lockwood also surpassed the 20-point with her 20.5 points.
Another asset to the Cougars' young talent is freshman middle blocker Kendall Haywood, who has wasted no time adjusting to the collegiate game, emerging as one of the most effective middle blockers in the country. With her .371 hitting percentage ranking 41st in the nation, her 79.0 total blocks sits at 28th in the country.
To begin the 2018 campaign, the Cougars put together one of their best starts in program history, finishing nonconference 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 nonconference 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 Haywood each found a spot on an All-Tournament twice.

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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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