No. 19 Volleyball Tops No. 22 USC in Front of Record Crowd

Friday, August 25

Houston, Texas

8 p.m.

University of Houston

1-0,0-0Big 12

USC

0-1,0-0Pac-12

Southern California

Houston

No. 19 Volleyball Tops No. 22 USC in Front of Record Crowd

8/26/2023 12:08:00 AM | Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Cougars open 2023 with a ranked win in front of a record 1,904 fans at Fertitta

HOUSTON – The No. 19 University of Houston Volleyball team toppled No. 22 USC, 3-1, in the Cougars' first ranked matchup at home since 1994, wowing a record-breaking crowd of 1,904 at the Fertitta Center in the team's first match as members of the Big 12 Conference.

Graduate Kenna Sauer shined in her Cougar debut, tallying her 28^th career double-double with a match-leading 18 kills and 14 digs while also finishing with a .311 hitting percentage. Graduate Morgan Janda tallied a double-double with a team-best 21 assists and match-best 15 digs.

Houston (1-0) extends its win streak at home to 15 matches, dating back to the home opener last season. The four-set win was the Cougars' first against USC (0-1) in the series history and the team improved to 64-6 when holding an opponent to under a .199 hitting efficiency under Head Coach David Rehr.

SET ONE
Houston hit the ground running to open the season, taking the lead and never relinquishing it in the first set. After working to a 15-12 lead at the media timeout, the Cougars won 10 of the next 14 points to clinch the opening frame behind a .500 hitting percentage as a team and four kills from graduate Nena Mbonu.

SET TWO
After no ties or lead changes in the first set, the Cougars and Trojans traded jabs in the second, leading to three lead changes and 17 ties in the frame. While Houston jumped ahead early, USC never fell more than a point behind, and the set sat even at 16-16. The Trojans then rattled off a 4-0 run to take an advantage, but Houston fought back to even the frame again at 23-23. USC ultimately evened the match after sealing back-to-back points to clinch the frame.

SET THREE
The third set was another tightly contested affair, again featuring 13 ties and seven lead changes. USC took a 3-2 lead to start, but Houston went on a 4-1 run behind kills from Sauer and Mbonu as well as a pair of Trojan attack errors to take a 7-4 lead. USC battled back, evening the score at 8-8 and the teams again went back-and-forth until the Trojans took a 20-17 lead late in the frame.

Houston wouldn't go quietly, tallying an 8-2 run to comeback in the set, clinching a 2-1 lead with a 25-22 win. Sauer posted five kills in the frame and Janda tallied six assists and five digs while the team held USC to a .086 hitting efficiency in the third.

SET FOUR
With the win within reach, Houston took a commanding 10-4 lead in the final frame, forcing a USC timeout early. The Cougars continued to hold off the Trojans, earning a 19-15 lead as the set drew toward its conclusion. USC surged, shrinking the gap to 21-19, but Houston held off any chances of a comeback to earn a 25-20 win.

UP NEXT
Houston continues play in the Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup on Saturday, facing off against Southern Miss at 6 p.m. The Golden Eagles fell to No. 23 Rice, 3-1, in their season opener on Friday night. The match will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

BUY TICKETS
Fans can purchase Houston Volleyball tickets by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or by clicking here.

SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win in the Big 12. Click here to rise and be counted.

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.