Houston Falls in Emotional Five-Set Contest

Saturday, September 15

Moon Township, Pa.

9 a.m. CT

University of Houston

13-2, 0-0

Robert Morris

6-7, 0-0

Houston

Robert Morris

Photo by: Maria Lysaker

9/15/2018 11:44:00 AM | Volleyball

Box Score

Three Cougars tally 14 kills

By: Ryan Levine

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The University of Houston Volleyball team (13-2) battled its way through a five-set match, but was unable to hold on to its 2-0 match lead and fell to Robert Morris (25-15, 25-18, 23-25, 25-27, 12-15) on Saturday morning.

HOUSTON 2, ROBERT MORRIS 3

HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
With this one opening up as a tightly contested match, neither squad was able to gain an edge on the other, but the Cougars built themselves a 13-9 lead after an ace from sophomore outside hitter Gabi Zelaya, forcing Robert Morris to call a timeout. Houston began to run away with the set, having stretched its lead to seven points and carried that momentum to 25-15 set victory. In the first frame, five different Cougars recorded at least a pair of kills, which was led by sophomore outside hitter Faith Squier, who led all players with four.

Set 2
The Cougars' offense continued to put on a show with six different players tallying two or more kills at the 7-4 mark, as the three-point Houston lead was paced by sophomore outside Silvia Perterns. What was a slim, three-point advantage, the Cougars brought their lead to six and stretched it by as many as eight before Houston went on to win the frame 25-18 to take 2-0 match lead at intermission.

Set 3
Houston's quest for a sweep was halted in the third. The Cougars quickly found themselves in a 6-2 deficit to begin the set, which turned into as much as a six-point deficit, but Houston never gave up to mount a comeback. Fighting its way back into it and trimming the RMU lead to within one at 21-20, Houston was unable to complete the comeback, as the Colonials forced a fourth-set with the 25-23 set win.

Set 4
Both teams traded points for nearly the entire frame, each stringing together their share of mini runs. After Robert Morris took a slim, one-point lead, Houston scored four unanswered points to grab a 12-9 advantage, forcing the Colonials to call a timeout. However, RMU responded with a run of its own to move out in front again, but that never stopped Houston, who took back the lead at 20-18. Despite having three set-points in their favor, the Cougars were unable to seal victory and the Colonials went on to win the frame 27-25, causing a deciding fifth-set.

Set 5
The final frame saw another close set come down to the wire, as RMU held just a one-point lead at the 11-10 mark. With the Cougars tying the score on the next point, Houston was unable to climb the ultimate hurdle and grab a lead late in the set, as Robert Morris went on to win the final set 15-12 and complete the comeback to win the match.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

This marked the third five-set match of the season for Houston, who is now 2-1 in such contests.
Today was the fourth time this season Houston had two or more players record double-doubles. Sophomore setter Abby Irvine put together her third of the season, finishing the match with 17 assists and 14 digs, while sophomore outside hitter Gabi Zelaya recorded her second in as many days and third of the season. She finished the match with 14 kills and 13 digs.
Sophomore outside hitter Silvia Perterns posted a career-high 14 kills, while her sophomore counterpart Faith Squier recorded a season-high 14 kills.
Junior libero Katie Karbo dug 29 balls, marking a season-high and her third-straight match to accomplish this feat.

UP NEXT
Houston returns home for the opening of the American Athletic conference play against Temple on Friday, Sept. 21. The Cougars' match with Owls is also the "Turn it Gold" match to raise awareness for pediatric cancer.

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 –