Houston Roars Back to Take 3-2 Win over Lipscomb

NORMAN, Okla. – Junior outside hitter Abbie Jackson smashed 19 kills while sophomore setter Annie Cooke added 50 assists to lead the University of Houston Volleyball program to a thrilling, come-from-behind, 3-2 victory (23-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-23, 15-5) over Lipscomb inside McCasland Field House on Friday afternoon during the first day of the Oklahoma Invitational.

Jackson, a unanimous Preseason All-American Athletic Conference honoree, led the Cougars with 23 points while hitting .471 (19 K-3 E-34 TA). Senior outside hitter Kortlyn Henderson finished with 10 kills and tied with junior middle blocker Rachel Tullos for team-high honors with three block solos. Sophomore libero Kate Georgiades led all players with 15 digs in the win.

The Cougars jumped out to a 20-12 lead early in the first set and held a 22-17 advantage late. However, the Lions won eight of the last nine points to clinch the first set of the season.

In Set 2, the two teams battled to an 11-11 tie before Lipscomb scored six of the next seven points for a 17-12 lead. Houston trimmed the deficit to two points on three occasions but could move no closer in falling down 2-0.

Tied at 9-9 in Set 3, Houston used a 6-1 run to build a 15-10 lead and never trailed the rest of the way to move to within 2-1 in the match.

The Lions moved to within 20-19 late in the set, but junior outside hitter Abbie Jackson's kill and subsequent ace and a Lipscomb attack error and service error gave the Cougars a comfortable margin.

In Set 4, Houston grabbed a 13-12 lead and moved to 17-13, thanks to four kills from Jackson, including three straight. The Lions closed to within 23-22, but a Lipscomb error and another kill from Jackson clinched the set and forced the deciding Set 5.

In the final set, the Cougars seized control early, scoring five of the first six points, thanks to two more kills from Jackson. After a pair of kills moved Lipscomb to within 7-4, Houston took advantage of two more Lipscomb errors and kills from senior outside hitter Kennedy Warren and Henderson for an 11-3 lead.

The Cougars then closed the match with the final four points for the season-opening win.

Kamryn Bacus led Lipscomb with 21 kills, while Delaney Dilfer totaled 53 assists and Ashleigh Albert posted 10 digs in the loss.

UP NEXT
The Cougars continue to compete at the Oklahoma Invitational with two matches on Saturday. Houston meets Oregon State at 2:30 p.m., Saturday before closing out the tournament at 7 p.m., Saturday, against host Oklahoma.

Following the Oklahoma Invitational, the Cougars return home and open their home schedule when they play host to the Flo Hyman Invitational inside the Fertitta Center.

The Cougars meet Mississippi State at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 3, before taking on McNeese (11 a.m.) and ULM (6:30 p.m.) on Saturday, Sept. 4.

BUY TICKETS
Fans can purchase Houston Volleyball tickets by calling 713-462-6647 or by clicking here. The 32-match schedule features 13 contests inside the Fertitta Center, which returns to full capacity in 2021.

JOIN POINT HOUSTON CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Volleyball program by joining the Point HOUSTON Club. For more information about the Point HOUSTON Club, fans can click here or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH.

STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Volleyball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarVB, and "Like" UHCougarVB on Facebook.

– UHCougars.com –

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Abbie Jackson

Kortlyn Henderson

Kennedy Warren

Rachel Tullos

Players Mentioned

Annie Cooke

Kate Georgiades

Kortlyn Henderson

Abbie Jackson

Rachel Tullos

Kennedy Warren

Players Mentioned

Annie Cooke

Kate Georgiades

Kortlyn Henderson

Abbie Jackson

Rachel Tullos

Kennedy Warren

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