University of Houston
17-8,10-6Big 12
Iowa State
18-9,9-7Big 12
#21 Volleyball’s Comeback Bid Falls Short Against rv Iowa State
11/18/2023 12:35:00 AM | Volleyball
Houston nearly completes reverse sweep over the Cyclones
HOUSTON – The #21 University of Houston Volleyball team fell behind 2-0 and nearly completed a comeback but ultimately came up short in a five-set loss to rv Iowa State at Fertitta Center on Friday night.
Houston (17-8, 10-6 Big 12) recorded a higher hitting percentage (.240-.224) and tallied more kills (64-59) than Iowa State (18-9, 9-7 Big 12) but was hurt by a slow start in the match that put the Cougars down 2-0 after the opening two sets.
After entering the match tied with Michelle Fraizer (1997-00), graduate Rachel Tullos claimed the Houston Volleyball record for career block assists after three in the match brought her career total to 491.
Graduates Kenna Sauer and Abbie Jackson both recorded double-doubles in the match. Sauer earned her team-leading ninth of the year with 19 kills and 18 digs while Jackson posted her 40th career double-double behind 15 kills and 13 digs. Gradaute Nena Mbonu led Houston with four blocks.
Tullos posted a .462 hitting percentage behind an 8-2-13 line while junior Kellen Morin hit .500, also with eight kills.
SET ONE
Despite jumping out to an 8-4 lead, Houston struggled to contain Iowa State in the opening set. The Cyclones rallied to tie the match at 11-11 and took their first lead at 12-11. The Cougars fought back to tie the score at 12-12, but a 3-0 run allowed Iowa State to reclaim the lead and the Cyclones cruised to a 25-19 set win.
SET TWO
Iowa State held a 9-6 lead after 15 points and continued to hold the advantage at 17-12. The Cougars used a 5-0 run to take a 19-18 lead and again held an edge at 20-19, but a 3-0 stretch for the Cyclones gave Iowa State a lead which they held for the remainder of the set, clinching a 25-23 win.
SET THREE
Houston seized the momentum early in the third. The Cougars jumped out to a 7-3 lead and extended their advantage to 14-8 12 points later. Houston's lead remained at six at 21-15 and the Cougars cruised to the set win, 25-18.
Houston hit .565 as a team in the third frame, recording only one error with 14 kills. Sauer led the team with six kills and four digs in the set while Morin tallied three kills.
SET FOUR
The Cougars kept their momentum in the fourth, grabbing a 10-5 lead after 15 points. Houston kept stringing together short runs, including a pair of 3-0 bursts to close the set and force a fifth, 25-15.
Jackson tallied five kills and a .556 hitting percentage in the frame. Senior Annie Cooke posted nine assists and seven different players recorded a dig.
SET FIVE
The teams traded points in the fifth set, with neither finding a sizable lead until a 4-0 run from the Cyclones gave Iowa State a 11-8 lead. The Cyclones continued the pressure, forcing match point at 14-11, but Houston rallied back with a 3-0 run to tie the set. While the Cougars forced extras, Iowa State earned back-to-back points to claim the set, 16-14, and the match, 3-2.
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