Houston Set To Take On SMU, Tulsa

Press Release courtesy of Houston Athletics

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

AT THE NET

Houston vs. SMU*

Friday, Nov. 3 | 7 p.m.

Athletics/Alumni Center

Live Stats | Live Stream

Houston vs. Tulsa*

Sunday, Nov. 5 | 1 p.m.

Athletics/Alumni Center

Live Stats | Live Stream

QUICK HITS

• The Cougars, who are 9-11 overall and 5-7 in The American, are coming off a 1-1 weekend with a 3-0 decision at Templeon Friday and 3-2 win at UConn on Sunday.
• At Temple, senior setter Keandra McCardell recorded her third double-double of the season and 32nd of her career in a 14-assist, 10-dig effort.
• At UConn, senior outside hitter Sarah Afflerbaugh and freshman setter Abby Irvine each posted double-doubles. Afflerbaugh finished with 15 kills and 18 digs, while Irvine tallied 27 assists and 15 digs.
• Houston leads The American and ranks 39th in the nation in service aces per set (1.53).
• Freshman libero Katie Karbo ranks third in the league and 22nd in the NCAA in digs per set (5.38). Senior middle blocker Brianna Gardner (0.34) and Afflerbaugh (0.33) rank second and fourth in The American in aces per set, respectively. Irvine ranks third among freshmen in assists per set (6.16).
• Senior outsider hitter Brianna Lynch (2.71) and sophomore outside hitter Megan Duncan (2.64) lead the Cougars in kills per set, while Gardner holds the top mark in blocks per set (0.89). Redshirt junior middle blocker Chenelle Walker leads the team in hitting percentage (.275).
• The Cougars, who are 30-60 all-time in The American, are 12-18 (Sets: 50-61) all-time and are 7-7 (Sets: 26-23) when hosting the Mustangs. Houston is 7-17 (Sets: 37-54) all-time and 4-7 (Sets: 22-23) when facing the Golden Hurricane at home.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

SMU

• The Mustangs enterFridaywith a 10-2 conference record and 16-7 overall mark.
• SMU leads The American and ranks 16th in the nation in digs per set (17.65). The Mustangs also rank third in conference in both kills (13.57) and blocks per set (2.38).
• Freshman Lexi Nordmann ranks second in The American in blocks per set (1.25), while sophomore Kendall Patterson ranks third in assists per set (10.08) and leads the team in hitting percentage (.367). Sophomore Montana Watts sits fifth in the league in digs per set (4.82), while senior Lauren Mills (3.55) and junior Brittany Adams (3.10) are seventh and 10th in conference in kills per set.
• Houston dropped a contested 3-0 decision at SMU onSept. 24.
• Head Coach Lisa Seifert is in her 22nd season at the reins of the Mustangs.
• SMU was picked fourth in The American Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

Tulsa

• The Golden Hurricane, who visit Tulane on Friday, are 5-7 in league play and 11-13 overall on the season.
• Tulsa ranks third in The American in digs per set (17.22).
• Sophomore Taylor Horsfall leads the league in digs per set (6.08), while junior Emily Thorson ranks second in kills per set (3.98). Freshman Lindsey Ledyard ranks third among freshman in the conference in assists per set (5.83). Freshman Callie Cooke leads the team in both blocks per set (0.89) and hitting percentage (.276).
• Houston fell 3-2 in its conference opener at Tulsa onSept. 22.
• The Golden Hurricane is under the direction of fourth-year Head Coach Ryan Willis.
• Tulsa was tabbed ninth in The American Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

UP NEXT

The Cougars will continue play in The American with matches at USF on Nov. 10 and UCF on Nov. 12.

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.