University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
12-7,5-5Big 12
Cincinnati
11-10,4-7Big 12
#22 Volleyball Dominates Cincinnati
10/29/2023 11:44:00 AM | Volleyball
Houston cruises to its third consecutive sweep with three-set win in Cincinnati
CINCINNATI – Graduate Abbie Jackson used a double-double with 12 kills and 10 digs to help power a three-set win for the #22 University of Houston volleyball team over Cincinnati inside Fifth Third Arena on Sunday afternoon.
Houston (12-7, 5-5 Big 12) held Cincinnati (11-10, 4-7) to a -.009 hitting percentage, the Cougar's second time this season limiting an opponent to a negative efficiency after Liberty hit -.128 on Sept. 14. The performance against the Flames was the first time Houston held a team negative since 2017.
Houston's defensive effort was firing on all cylinders throughout the contest. Senior Kate Georgiades tallied 15 digs to lead the match, her 16th double-digit showing in the category this season. Junior Katie Corelli led the team with five blocks while junior Kellen Morin and graduate Rachel Tullos added four each to help the team tally nine total in the match.
Senior Annie Cooke earned 20 assists and led the match with two aces. Graduate Nena Mbonu used eight kills to post a .700 hitting percentage with Corelli also adding five kills for a .455 efficiency and graduate Kenna Sauer tallying seven kills.
SET ONE
Houston jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead capped by a service ace from Cooke that forced an early Cincinnati timeout. The Cougars kept the Bearcats at arm's length, maintaining a four-point lead at 14-10, but Cincinnati fought to close the gap to one at 15-14. A 5-1 run extended Houston's lead, and the Cougars kept the advantage, winning the set 25-20.
Sauer and Jackson each tallied four kills in the opening frame while Morin posted two blocks and Jackson and graduate Morgan Janda tallied four digs apiece.
SET TWO
Houston continued to control play in the second. After using a 5-0 run to take a 7-2 lead, the Cougars posted another 5-0 stretch later in the set to extend their lead to 16-7. A 3-0 run gave Houston its first double-digit lead at 19-8, and the Cougars kept rolling to take the set, 25-13.
Four Cougars posted multiple kills in the second set, and Georgiades tallied eight digs.
SET THREE
The Cougars pounced again in the third set, jumping out early to a 6-4 lead after 10 points. Houston then used a 3-0, a 4-0 and a 5-0 run to dominate the set, taking the frame, 25-11, and the match, 3-0.
Jackson posted eight kills in the final set. Cooke tallied 10 assists while Corelli finished the frame with three blocks.
UP NEXT
The Cougars return to Fertitta Center for a two-match series against UCF. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m., Friday, and the teams will wrap up the weekend at 7 p.m., Saturday. Both matches will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
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