#24 Volleyball Opens NCAA Tournament Against UC Santa Barbara

Friday, December 1

Stanford, Calif.

6:30 p.m. CT

University of Houston

UC Santa Barbara

#24 Volleyball Opens NCAA Tournament Against UC Santa Barbara

11/30/2023 4:23:00 PM | Volleyball

Match Notes Join POINT Houston Club Support Houston Rise

Cougars start NCAA Tournament journey in Stanford against Gouchos

STANFORD, Calif. – The #24 University of Houston Volleyball team begins its second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance with a first-round tilt against UC Santa Barbara at 6:30 p.m. CT, Friday in Maples Pavilion.

On the heels of a Sweet Sixteen appearance in last year's NCAA Tournament, Houston enters this year's as the eight seed in the Stanford Regional. The winner of Friday's match will go on to face the victor of the #2 (1) Stanford-Fresno State match at 8 p.m. CT, Saturday.

#24 (8) HOUSTON (18-9, 11-7 BIG 12) vs. UC SANTA BARBARA (27-4, 17-1 BIG WEST)
Date \| Time				Friday, Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. CT
Location				Maples Pavilion \| Stanford, Calif.
TV				ESPN+
Live Stats				NCAA.com
Game Notes				Houston
Social Media				@uhcougarvb \| @uhccougarvb \| Cougar Volleyball \| #GoCoogs \| #BeSomeone

QUICK HITS

The Cougars enter their 13th NCAA Tournament with the opening round draw against UC Santa Barbara. It marks Houston's second consecutive NCAA Tournament. The Cougars have a 5-12 record in the Tournament all-time, including a 2-1 record under Head Coach David Rehr. Last season, Houston defeated South Dakota and Auburn to reach the Sweet Sixteen.
Houston entered the AVCA Poll last season for the first time since 1994 and tied its highest final ranking in program history at No. 17. In the preseason iteration of this year's poll, the Cougars were voted at #19 and have been ranked as high as #13 this season. The Cougars have been ranked in all 15 polls so far this season and have been placed in 22 straight polls.
Kellen Morin captured the University of Houston's first-ever individual Big 12 Conference honors by being named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week on Aug. 29. Kate Georgiades and Rachel Tullos added their first Big 12 weekly honors with Defensive Player of the Week selections on Oct. 24 and Nov. 7, respectively. Kenna Sauer earned her third career Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honor with the final weekly honors of the season on Nov. 28.
Morin has been a force for Houston on the net this season, leading the team in blocks in 18 of the 27 matches and ranks fourth in the Big 12 with 1.24 blocks per set. Morin also leads the league (30th nationally) in hitting percentage (.390) while Georgiades ranks second in the Big 12 in digs per set (4.51).
After replacing the entire top five attendances in program history last year, Houston has replaced the top three again this season, including the first two volleyball sellouts at Fertitta Center. Houston currently sits at 37th in cumulative attendance and 31st in average attendance nationally.
The Cougars are one of three teams with 3 players in the top 50 for career sets played among active players, joining Oregon and Washington State. Houston's starting seven this year includes 4 grad students, 2 seniors and a junior.
David Rehr became the third head coach in Houston Volleyball history to hit 100 wins in the NCAA era, becoming the quickest to complete the feat on Nov. 10 against Oklahoma (141 matches). He's one of at least four coaches to hit 100 wins at Houston (records incomplete prior to 1973).

SERIES HISTORY
Coogs vs. UC Santa Barbara

All-time: UCSB leads 3-0-1
Sets: UCSB leads 9-2
In Houston: Never
In Santa Barbara: Never
Neutral Sites: UCSB leads 3-0-1
Last meeting: UCSB won 3-1 | N | Nov. 25, 1994
Houston Streak: L2
Rehr's UH career vs. UCSB: First meeting
Houston's Last 5: LLDL (0-3-1)
Houston's Longest Win Streak: N/A
Houston's Longest Losing Streak: 2, 1993-Present

SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
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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 (4684).

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarVB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarVB. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarVB.

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