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DALLAS (Sept. 30) -- University of Houston head volleyball coach Bill Walton may be one of the best in the nation at winning the rally-scored fifth game of a match. He's just getting tired of having to prove it this season.
For the fourth time on the young season and third time in the last four matches, Houston won a match by a score of three games to two. On Wednesday night in Dallas, the Cougars defeated SMU by the scores of 16-18, 15-8, 15-9, 12-15 and 15-12 in the rally-scored fifth and deciding game. In four rally games before October 1, Walton and the Cougars are a perfect 4-0. The win Wednesday also extended Houston's current win streak to five and improved UH's record to 8-5.
The Cougars were paced by senior hitter Kristin Guidish's season-high 18 kills and 15 defensive digs. Senior Jillian King and junior Bobbi Stewart both spiked 16 kills while junior Michelle Frazier added an even dozen. In all five games at Moody Coliseum, UH reached the 12-point mark first but twice had trouble finishing off the Mustangs for the 15th point.
Houston started well in game one, jumping out to an 11-4 lead, but the Cougars couldn't live with prosperity. UH began to play erraticly and SMU responded with a 14-4 run to claim an 18-16 victory.
In game two the Cougars again started in high gear and built a quick 12-2 advantage. This time however UH managed to trade side outs until the Ponies ran out of room on the scoreboard in a 15-8 final. Game three went back and forth to 9-8, but Houston took advantage when SMU put its less experienced sophomore setter midway through the contest.
For the fourth-straight time in game four, the UH reached the 12 point mark first. Houston was up 12-10 but the Mustangs rallied to hang on for a 15-12 win. In game five the Cougars reached 12 and used its rally-scoring experience to cooly hit for a .300 percentage. SMU meanwhile struggled for a .080 percentage.
Houston will next be in action at home with a Conference USA match against league rival UNC Charlotte on Friday, October 1. First serve with the 49ers will be at 7:30 p.m. in Hofheinz Pavilion.
College Volleyball LinescoreHouston 16 15 15 12 15 SMU 18 8 9 15 12Kill Leaders:Kristin Guidish (UH) 18; Melissa Goodwin (SMU) 25; Records:Houston (8-5); SMU (10-7)