Cardiac Coogs Win Fifth Five-Set Match in a Row

PHILADELPHIA – For the first time since 2001, the University of Houston Volleyball team is 4-0 to start conference play, after the Cougars claimed a 3-2 (25-22, 25-21, 23-25, 11-25, 15-12) victory over Temple on Sunday afternoon.

With the win, the Cougars (10-9, 4-0 American) have won 10 of their last 15 contests, including five in a row. All five of Houston's wins during its current streak have come in five-set fashion. Overall, the Cougars have competed in six consecutive five-set matches.

Led by senior libero Katie Karbo's match-high 26 digs, the contest against the Owls (9-6, 0-4 American) saw four different Houston players tally 10 or more digs, the third time this season such a task has been accomplished. Karbo now has 2,148 digs in her career and is 231 away from the American Athletic Conference record of 2,379 set by Morgan Heise of SMU.

Houston also saw a pair of double-doubles tallied from senior outside hitter Megan Duncan (24 kills, 13 digs) and junior setter Abby Irivine (38 assists, 12 digs), marking the sixth time this year Houston has had multiple players record double-doubles in the same contest. Duncan's 24 kills led all players. Senior outside hitter Claire Karsten earned a career-high 16 digs in the match.

Houston 3, Temple 2
Set 1
The Cougars jumped out to a quick start, as four early kills from Duncan paced Houston to a 7-4 lead. After another kill from Duncan pushed the Cougar lead to five, the Owls put together a run to trim their deficit to three. Houston recovered, having squeezed out the set one victory thanks to Duncan slamming home here eighth kill to seal the 25-22 win.

Set 2
Once Temple opened the second frame with an 11-6 lead, Houston called a timeout to try and stop the momentum. That timeout sparked a 7-3 run from the Cougars, who cut the deficit to three courtesy of a kill from freshman middle blocker Rachell Tullos. Houston continued to claw its way back into it, as the kill from sophomore middle blocker Isabel Theut tied the score at 18. From there, Houston went on to score seven of the final 10 points to claim the 25-21 set victory and hold a 2-0 match lead at intermission.

Set 3
Houston used that energy from the second frame and carried to start the third, as Karsten tallied one of her nine kills in the match to put the Cougars ahead 10-6. After sophomore middle blocker Kendall Haywood stretched the lead to five, Temple was forced to call a timeout, trailing 15-10. The Owls came out of the break and strung together a 6-2 run, resulting in the Cougars calling a timeout of their own. After Temple took the lead, Houston managed to tie the score, but the Owls pulled away late and snuck away with the 25-23 win.

Set 4
Temple jumped out to a 12-4 lead and never looked back from that point, cruising to the 25-11 win and forcing a decisive fifth-set.

Set 5
Courtesy of another kill from Haywood, the Cougars began the final frame with a three-point, 6-3 lead. After sophomore outside hitter Alexis Cheatum extended the advantage to four at 12-8, Temple was forced to call a timeout, but that wouldn't be enough to stop Houston, as the Cougars went on to win the set 15-12 and seal the 3-2 match victory.

UP NEXT
The Cougars continue their four-match road trip on Friday, when Houston travels to Wichita, Kansas, to take on Wichita State. First serve for that contest is slated for 7 p.m.

Houston returns to the Fertitta Center on Oct. 18, as the Cougars take on ECU at 7 p.m. Tickets for the match are on sale now and can be purchased here.

NEW GAMEDAY PROCEDURES
Those looking to watch the Cougars in action in 2019 are now advised to park in the Stadium Garage on Holman Street as well as Lot 16B on the southeast corner of Elgin and Cullen in front of Moore's School of Music.

Fans can park in both areas for $5, which will be open two hours before first serve. On days where other events are occurring on campus, $5 parking lots will still be available at locations to be determined later.

To enter the Fertitta Center, doors will only be open at the Holman Street entrances, where fans can purchase single-game tickets for as low as $5. Fans can buy tickets in advance now by either clicking here or calling (713) GO-COOGS.

Along with the list of prohibited items, also new to Houston Volleyball fans in 2019 is a Clear Bag Policy, which is being incorporated to help provide a safer environment for the public and to expedite fan entry into the Fertitta Center. The UH Clear Bag Policy strictly limits the size and types of bags that are permitted into the Fertitta Center.

Items such as backpacks, large bags and diaper bags are not permitted. Fans are strongly encouraged to not bring any bags. However, the following will be permitted:

Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12"
One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar)
A small clutch purse no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" with or without a handle or strap. These small clutches are subject to search.
An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at the entrance by arena personnel.

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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Team Stats

Megan Duncan

Claire Karsten

Kendall Haywood

Isabel Theut

Players Mentioned

Alexis Cheatum

Megan Duncan

Kendall Haywood

Katie Karbo

Claire Karsten

Isabel Theut

Players Mentioned

Alexis Cheatum

Megan Duncan

Kendall Haywood

Katie Karbo

Claire Karsten

Isabel Theut

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