Volleyball Sweeps Temple to Clinch Back-to-Back 20-Win Seasons

By: Armando Yanez

HOUSTON – The No. 23 University of Houston volleyball team clinched its second consecutive 20-win season after its fourth sweep in the last five games with a three-set win over Temple on Friday night in the Fertitta Center.

Houston (20-2, 11-0 The American) has now won its last 12 games with five coming in straight-set victories. The win extends the Cougars' winning streak to four games against the Owls in its last match together as conference foes.

The program notched back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since 1999-2000 and tied the fastest pace to 20 wins in program history (22 games), originally set in 1975. Posting a second-consecutive three-set sweep, the Cougars have recorded back-to-back straight-set victories for the third time this season.

Houston's .330 hitting percentage on the night marked the fifth time the Cougars hit over .300 this season while also holding their opponent to under .100 hitting percentage for the second time this season.

Senior Abbie Jackson and graduate Isabel Theut tied for a team-leading 10 kills on the night while senior Morgan Janda recorded 19 assists with eight in the first set. Graduate Kortlyn Henderson tallied a .429 hitting percentage with six kills in 14 attempts. Junior Kate Georgiades' 12 digs mark her 62nd career game with 10-or-more digs while Jackson reached 73 career games with 10-or-more kills with 10 on the night.

SET ONE
A competitive start saw the match open even at 9-9 before Houston hopped on a 6-2 run to create some distance at 15-11 and force a Temple timeout.

Momentum remained on the Cougars' side as they pieced together two short runs to close out the first set 25-18.

The Cougars posted a .419 hitting percentage as Jackson led with five kills paired with three digs while Janda tallied eight assists.

SET TWO
Houston jumped out to a more decisive start with an 8-4 run to open the second frame. The Cougars remained firm on the attack and further extended the gap to 19-10.

Despite a 9-4 Temple run to tighten the set, the Cougars pushed through to earn the win, 25-20, to extend its lead to 2-0 in the match.

Georgiades and Kennedy Warren combined for seven digs in the set.

SET THREE
The third set tallied an 8-8 start with the Owls holding momentum from the second set. However, the Cougars rode a 7-1 run to lead 15-9 at the media timeout. Up two sets, Houston limited Temple to little production on the attack as it closed out the match with a 10-4 run to clinch the set and the match.

A .400 hitting percentage in the set saw Jackson and Theut combine for six kills while Georgiades posted five digs in the deciding set.

UP NEXT
The Cougars remain at home for the fourth game of their five-game homestand as Houston hosts East Carolina at the Fertitta Center at Noon, Sunday.

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Fans can purchase Houston Volleyball tickets by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or by clicking here. The 31-match schedule features 14 contests inside the Fertitta Center.

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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 (4684).

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– UHCougars.com –

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Isabel Theut

Abbie Jackson

Kortlyn Henderson

Kennedy Warren

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