Houston Drops Contest to USF

Friday, November 16

Houston

7 p.m. CT

University of Houston

16-15, 3-13AAC

USF

20-9, 9-7AAC

USF

Houston

11/16/2018 10:08:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Duncan and Irvine record double-doubles

By: Ryan Levine

HOUSTON – The University of Houston opened up its final weekend of the 2018 campaign falling 3-0 (21-25, 19-25, 17-25) to USF on Friday night inside the Athletics/Alumni Center.

With two matches left on the year, the Cougars sit at 16-15 overall and 3-13 against conference opponents, while the Bulls move to 20-9 on the season and 9-7 in The American.

HOUSTON 0, USF 3

HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
With a potent offense that ranks inside the top 50 in the country in total kills, Houston came out firing to begin the match, recording four kills on the first four plays of the match. After the Bulls caught up and tied the score at five, the two teams were neck and neck, until USF started to pull away, forcing Houston to call a timeout trailing 17-13. USF stretched its lead to as much as seven late in the set, but the Cougars fought off three set-points to pull within three. With the score at 24-21, the Bulls called a timeout, where they responded and scored the final point to win the set 25-21.

Set 2
Neither team was able to gain an edge on the other to start the second frame, as the largest lead was no more than two, with the score tied 10 times during the set. The score was knotted one last time at 17-17 before USF closed out the set scoring eight of the final 10 points to win 25-19 and take a 2-0 match lead at the intermission.

Set 3
Much like the second set, the final frame of the match found both sides hashing it out at each other all the way to the 11-11 mark. From there, the Bulls went on a 7-1 run that the Cougars were never able to recover from, as USF went on the claim the 25-17 set victory and 3-0 match lead.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Houston recorded more kills than USF in the match, finishing the night with 38 kills compared to the Bulls' 36.
Two Cougars posted double-doubles on the night in junior outside hitter Megan Duncan (13 kills, 11 digs) and sophomore setter Abby Irvine (26 assists, 11 digs). It marked their 12^th double-double of the season and the 10^th time multiple players have posted double-doubles in the same match.
Junior libero Katie Karbo dug out a match-high 20 balls, the 19^th occasion she has led all players in digs.

UP NEXT
Houston welcomes one of the top teams in the country, as No. 21 UCF comes to the Athletics/Alumni Center on Sunday, Nov. 18 for a 1 p.m. CT first serve. The Cougars' match with the Golden Knights will also be Alumni Day for former Houston Volleyball players.

Following its contest with UCF, the Cougars will host SMU on Wednesday, Nov. 21. First serve for Houston's match with the Mustangs is slated for 1 p.m. PT. Fans are encouraged to come to the Athletics/Alumni Center prior to the match for a special pregame ceremony that will honor Houston's three players who will play their final match in a Cougar uniform.

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.

– UHCougars.com –