University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
9-7,2-5Big 12
Texas
13-3,8-0Big 12
#21 Volleyball Falls Short Against #7 Texas
10/15/2023 3:46:00 PM | Volleyball
Cougars drop three-set match on Sunday against reigning national champions Longhorns
HOUSTON – The #21 University of Houston Volleyball team couldn't overcome a slow start in a three-set loss to #7 Texas on Sunday in front of a near-record crowd of 7,051 on Sunday afternoon in the Fertitta Center.
For the second consecutive day, Houston (9-7, 2-5 Big 12) had over 7,000 fans enter the Fertitta Center. After breaking both the program's attendance record and the Houston Athletics' women's sporting event attendance record Saturday, the Cougars nearly matched the 7,054 today.
Overall, across the two matches, the Cougars had 14,105 fans cross the turnstiles. Houston's total attendance this season now sits at 19,107, the most in a single season at the Fertitta Center with five home matches still remaining, besting the previous high mark of 12,954 last season. This year's current average attendance of 2,730 is nearly three times higher than the 925 in 2022.
Graduate Kenna Sauer again led Houston's offense, tallying 14 kills, while adding six digs and two blocks. Junior Kellen Morin earned seven blocks, leading the match in the category, while senior Kate Georgiades posted a team-best nine digs.
SET ONE
Texas jumped out to a quick lead in the first set and never looked back. Starting with a 5-1 run, the Longhorns extended their lead to 10 at 15-5. Texas continued to cruise to the end, winning the set 25-10.
SET TWO
The teams evenly split the first 20 points to start the second. After again trading points to remain even at 12-12, a 3-0 run gave the Longhorns the lead, and Texas capped the set with another 3-0 run to earn a 25-19 win.
SET THREE
The third set began with the teams again tied 10-10 after 20 serves. Houston then used a 3-0 run to take the lead, capped by back-to-back aces from Sauer, but Texas fought back to even the score at 14-14. The Cougars took the lead off a 4-0 run, but the Longhorns wouldn't stop fighting, tying the match at 23-23, and then winning the next two points to clinch the straight-set win, 25-23.
UP NEXT
Houston heads back on the road for a pair of matches at Texas Tech. The Cougars first battle the Red Raiders at 6 p.m. Friday, before closing the weekend at 2 p.m. Saturday. Both matches will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
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