Houston Ready To Host UCF, USF

Press Release courtesy of Houston Athletics

The University of Houston Volleyball program continues American Athletic Conference play with a 7 p.m. match against UCF on Friday and a 1 p.m. tilt against USF on Sunday.

Friday’s action will serve as the program’s “Red Out” match, while Sunday’s match marks “Coogs for the Cure” with the team wearing pink jerseys in honor of breast cancer awareness.

AT THE NET

Houston vs. UCF*

Friday, Oct. 20 | 7 p.m.

Athletics/Alumni Center

Live Stats | Live Stream

Houston vs. USF*

Sunday, Oct. 22 | 1 p.m.

Athletics/Alumni Center

Live Stats | Live Stream

QUICK HITS

• The Cougars, who are 6-10 overall and 2-6 in The American, are coming off a pair of 3-1 decisions at Cincinnati and at ECU.
• At Cincinnation Friday, senior outside hitter Brianna Lynch recorded a career-high 23 kills.
• At ECUon Sunday, freshman setter Abby Irvine recorded her team-leading fourth double-double of the season with a 21-assist, career-high 16-dig effort.
• Last week, senior setter Keandra McCardell moved into fifth all-time at Houston with2,888 career assists, passing Bethany Hill (2,865; 1995-98).
• Houston leads The American in service aces per set (1.54).
• Sophomore libero Katie Karbo ranks third in the league and 26th in the NCAA in digs per set (5.28).Senior outside hitter Sarah Afflerbaugh (0.33), senior middle blocker Brianna Gardner (0.30) and Karbo (0.26) rank third, seventh and 10th in The American in aces per set, respectively. Freshman Abby Irvine ranks second among freshmen in assists per set (6.07).
• Senior outsider hitter Brianna Lynch leads the Cougars in kills per set (2.73), while Gardner holds the top mark in blocks per set (0.90). Redshirt junior middle blocker Chenelle Walker is the team leader in hitting percentage (.270).
• The Cougars, who are 27-59 all-time in The American, are 11-8 (Sets: 37-34) all-time and are 5-4 (Sets: 17-16) when hosting the Knights. Houston is 13-13 (Sets: 51-52) all-time and 7-6 (Sets: 26-23) when facing the Bulls at home.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

UCF

• The Knights enter Friday with a 3-5 conference record and 10-10 overall mark.
• Redshirt seniors Taylor Wickey and Kia Bright rank second in The American in hitting percentage (.380) and fifth in kills per set (3.69), respectively. Wickey also leads the team in blocks per set (0.91), while junior Jordan Pingel holds the top mark in digs per set (4.04). Erin Olson (5.77) and Miranda Watkins (5.46) split reps at setter in UCF’s 6-2 system.
• Head Coach Todd Dagenais is in his 10th year at the helm of the Knights.
• UCF was tabbed fifth in The American Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

USF

• The Bulls, who visit Tulaneon Friday, are 2-6 in league play and 7-11 overall on the season.
• USF is third in The American in both digs (16.85) and service aces per set (1.28).
• Senior Alex Mendoza ranks fourth in the conference in assists per set (9.74), while junior Reagan Davey is fourth in service aces per set (0.29). Junior Clara Payne sits seventh in blocks per set (1.06), and junior Maria McLamb is eighth in digs per set (4.06). Freshman Doris Carter leads the team in kills per set (2.53)
• The Bulls are in their sixth season under 15-year Head Coach Courtney Draper.
• USF was picked sixth in The American Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

UP NEXT

The Cougars will continue play in The American with matches at Temple on Oct. 27 and UConn on Oct. 29.

SHASTA PASS

The Houston Athletics Ticket Office is once again proud to offer the Shasta Pass for the 2017-18 season. For just $80, Cougar fans can purchase one Shasta Pass, which allows season-long general admission entrance to all Houston Volleyball, Soccer, Women’s Basketball and Softball home games.

The Shasta Pass offers Houston fans a substantial saving as single-game tickets start at $5 for all four sports. To purchase a Shasta Pass, call 713-GO-COOGS or Click Here.

STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Volleyball on Twitter @UHCougarVB and “Like” /HoustonCougarVolleyball on Facebook. Houston Volleyball is now on Instagram as well at UHCougarVB.

JOIN POINT HOUSTON CLUB

Fans can help support the Houston Volleyball program by joining the Point HOUSTON Club. To find out more information about the Point HOUSTON Club, visit UHCougars.com or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GOUH.