Houston Claims Pair of Victories on Final Day of Flo Hyman

Highlights vs. Lamar | Highlights vs. HBU

HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Volleyball team continued its hot start to the 2018 campaign with victories over Lamar and Houston Baptist on Saturday's final day of the Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup. The Cougars (11-1) began the day with a 3-1 (25-13, 25-17, 19-25, 25-18) win over the Cardinals (2-6) and followed it with a 3-1 (24-26, 25-18, 25-17, 25-14) victory against the Huskies (5-5).

At the conclusion of the tournament, junior outside hitter Faith Squier and freshman middle blocker Kendall Haywood were named to the All-Tournament team for their performances throughout the weekend. Having played in all 15 sets in the tournament, both Squier and Haywood were some of the most efficient hitters in the field, each posting a hitting percentage above the .340 mark. Haywood also finished the weekend tallying eight solo blocks.

GAME 1: HOUSTON 3, LAMAR 1

HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1 –
Like so many times before, Houston came out putting the pedal to the metal as the Cougars opened the match scoring eight of the game's first nine points. From there, Houston put together another monstrous run and quickly found itself ahead 15-3, forcing Lamar to call its second timeout of the set. The Cougars never looked in the rear view mirror from that moment, as they cruised to a 25-13 set victory.

Set 2 –
Houston managed to build itself a comfortable lead for much of the set, but following back-to-back kills from junior outsider Faith Squier, the Cougars held a 21-13 advantage. The eight-point lead proved to be enough for Houston, as its largest lead of the set paced the Cougars to a 2-0 lead with the 25-17 win in the second set.

Set 3
After opening the frame with an early 5-3 lead, the Cardinals responded with nine consecutive points to claim a 12-5 advantage. The deficit turned out to be too much to overcome for Houston, with Lamar going on to claim the 25-19 set win.

Set 4
The Cougars wasted no time getting that set back, but it wasn't easy. After trailing by 9-3 to open the set, Houston found one last rebuttal and rallied to tie the score midway through at 14 apiece. At that point, there was no turning back for the Cougars, as 11 of the next 15 points went in their favor to win 25-18.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

10 out of 11 Cougars that tallied an attack also recorded a kill in the match.
The Cougars opened the match with an 8-1 run, followed by a 7-2 run in the first set.
With her 16 kills in the match, junior outside hitter Megan Duncan has led the Cougars in kills six times this season.
Junior outside hitter Faith Squier and freshman middle blocker Kendall Haywood each posted a .545 hitting percentage.

GAME 2: HOUSTON 3, HOUSTON BAPTIST 1

HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1 –
After finding itself trailing 4-0 to begin the match, the Cougars managed to fight their way back into striking distance. Having found itself down as late as 23-21, Houston picked up some momentum to tie the score at 24, but HBU would go on score the next two points and win the set 26-24.

Set 2 –
Much like the opening set, Houston quickly found itself in a four-point deficit but rebounded with four consecutive points of its own to tie the score. Once the Cougars built a three-point advantage courtesy of a kill from sophomore outside hitter Gabi Zelaya, the Huskies were forced to call a time out, trailing 12-9. HBU came out of the timeout and narrowed the Houston lead to just one at 14-13, but a late run from the Cougars sealed the 25-18 set victory for Houston.

Set 3
A tightly contested third frame for much of the early half of the set, one of freshman outside hitter Alexis Cheatum's eight kills in the match put Houston ahead by two and with freshman middle blocker Kendall Haywood at the service line, the Cougars stretched their lead to 15-10. There was no looking back at that point, as Houston went ahead 2-1 in match play with its 25-17 win.

Set 4
As Houston started to pull away late in the final frame, the Cougars' last offensive surge was led by junior outside hitter Megan Duncan, who was responsible for four of the final seven points that Houston scored and cemented the match victory with a service ace.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Houston is now 2-1 in 2018 when trailing after the first set.
The Cougars had three players reach double-digit kills in junior outside hitter Megan Duncan (12), sophomore outside hitter Gabi Zelaya (11) and junior outside hitter Faith Squier (10). Duncan has led the team in kills seven times this season.
Houston eclipsed the .300 hitting percentage mark for the fifth time this season and is 5-0 in such contests.
Freshman outside hitter Alexis Cheatum tallied a career-high eight kills in the match.
Senior setter Katie Krebs put together her third double-double of the season and fifth of her career, with 15 helpers and 13 digs.
Sophomore setter Abby Irvine reached the 25 assist plateau for the sixth time this season.

UP NEXT
Houston heads to Moon Township, Pa. for the RMU Sheraton Invitational, where the Cougars will compete in three matches from Sept. 14-15.

The Cougars return home on Sept. 21, when fans will have the opportunity to watch Houston open conference play against Temple at 7 p.m.

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 –

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