Houston volleyball swept by No. 16 TCU

Houston volleyball was unable to take a single set against No. 16 TCU as the Cougars were swept (29-31, 20-25, 19-25) on Friday night.

After a long back-and-forth battle, which included senior middle blocker Alexis Roberson reaching 400 career kills, Houston had the opportunity to take the opening set three times but failed each time.

The Horned Frogs capitalized, and after fending off three set points themselves, the Cougars ultimately lost the set on back-to-back kills from junior outside hitter Evan Hendrix.

The 29-31 loss tied the longest set of the year for the Cougars that they first recorded against No. 19 Kansas on Sep. 25.

“We just got to be ready in those moments,” coach David Rehr said. “We’ve got to have the big kids that want to put the ball away at that moment.”

Houston started set two with an early 5-1 lead, but TCU quickly tied the set back up at nine. Houston never tied the Horned Frogs again, losing set two off a kill from fifth-year setter Rosemary Archer.

Houston never led in the third set as TCU controlled the game, and TCU took the set and the match on a kill by freshman middle blocker Kinsley Young.

Despite coming off the bench, junior defensive specialist Lily Barron led the team in digs with 13 of the 49 total, with every Houston player who entered the game recording a dig.

“For a while I think our defense was a little bit slower, and I think we’re finally putting in the work together,” Barron said.

Junior outside hitters Kamille Gibson and Sydney Jones totaled 26 kills on the night with 15 and 11, respectively.

Junior setter Kalei Edson totaled 34 assists, tying TCU’s Archer for most assists in the match.

The Cougars fall to 13-10 overall and 6-6 in conference play.