Houston volleyball held a 6-4 record in Big 12 conference play entering the month of November, still, with an opportunity at a late NCAA Tournament push.
Since then, the Cougars have lost four consecutive matches, with three coming in straight-set sweep fashion, including its recent loss to UCF.
Greenberry records 100th career block in road loss against UCF
Sophomore middle blocker Tara Greenberry recorded her 100th career block for Houston volleyball, even as UCF swept the Cougars in three sets on the road Sunday, Nov. 8, at The Venue in Orlando, Fla.
Greenberry finished with three blocks and no attack errors, hitting a team-high of .462. Junior setter Kalei Edson led Houston with 24 assists, while sophomore defensive specialist Pitts recorded eight digs. Across the net, UCF senior outside hitter Avah Armour led all players with 15 kills as the Knights finished with 48 kills to Houston’s 36.
Houston stayed close early in the first set, with three kills from junior outside hitter Kamille Gibson helping the Cougars maintain their rhythm. However, after the teams tied at 7-7, UCF pulled ahead with six unanswered points, including three straight blocks that disrupted Houston’s offense.
The Knights continued to widen the gap as freshman opposite hitter Natasha Casey recorded back-to-back service aces. Houston struggled to regain a rhythm, finishing the opening set with six attack errors compared with UCF’s two. A kill from Armour closed the set 25-15.
The Cougars found momentum in the second, starting with two kills from Gibson. Soon after, a service ace from sophomore libero Mattie Casale, followed by a kill from Greenberry and a shared block with junior setter Kalei Edson, put Houston ahead 8-5.
Both teams stayed aggressive throughout the set, exchanging the lead five times and tying the score 14 times. Gibson was essential to Houston’s offense, recording six of her team-leading 12 kills in the second set alone.
Despite trailing 23-21 late, Houston worked its way back with consecutive kills from Gibson and senior outside hitter Alyssa Gonzales. The comeback fell short when Casey answered with a kill and a service ace, securing the Knights’ 25-23 win.
Down two sets, Houston opened the third with fresh momentum. Pitts recorded a service ace followed by a kill from Greenberry, helping the Cougars establish an early lead. Consecutive kills from Greenberry and senior middle blocker Alexis Roberson extended Houston to 10-7.
Mechanical errors loomed over the Cougars’ lead as UCF worked its way back. After Houston tied it at 12-12, the Knights took control and eventually scored four consecutive points to take the lead 18-13.
Greenberry continued to contribute, putting up four of her six kills in the final set. However, Houston struggled to close the gap, and a kill from junior outside hitter Fallon Stewart completed the sweep.
Cougars fall in competitive four-set battle against Mountaineers
Houston fought to overcome nine tied scores in the second and fourth sets before falling to West Virginia 3-1 on Thursday, Nov. 12, inside the Fertitta Center.
The Cougars leveled the match with a second-set victory but dropped the final two sets, finishing 21-25, 25-22, 18-25, 22-25. The Mountaineers erased Houston’s 13-4 advantage before scoring the final four points.
Junior outside hitter Kamille Gibson led Houston with 19 kills, followed by senior outside hitter Alyssa Gonzales with 13. Junior setter Kalei Edson recorded 43 assists, while sophomore libero Gillian Pitts contributed 13 digs.
Houston started the fourth set strong. Down 2-1, Gibson fueled a seven-point run that included consecutive aces and two kills by junior outside hitter Olivia Stringer, extending Houston’s advantage to 13-4.
However, West Virginia responded almost immediately with seven consecutive points. Senior outside hitter Nina Horning delivered three kills during the stretch, while Houston’s errors helped reduce the lead to 13-11.
Gonzales interrupted the run with a kill, but Houston struggled to rebuild its structure. Horning kept finding openings, and eventually tied the set 15-15.
Houston briefly pulled ahead 18-16 before three consecutive Mountaineer kills reversed the lead. Gonzales kept the Cougars competitive with four late kills, including one to give Houston a 22-21 lead. Horning answered before three consecutive Houston attack errors ended the match.
Earlier in the match, Houston’s blocking found success in the second set. After West Virginia hit .455 in the opening set, the Cougars recorded five second-set blocks and held the Mountaineers to .139.
Tied at 11, Edson scored on a setter dump before teaming with senior middle blocker Alexis Roberson to block Horning. Another Horning attack error gave Houston a 14-11 lead. Additional blocks helped extend the advantage to 19-14.
After West Virginia narrowed the gap to two, a Gonzales kill prompted five consecutive Houston points. Mattie Casale’s service turn included an ace and two kills from sophomore middle blocker Tara Greenberry, bringing Houston to set point at 24-17.
The Mountaineers saved five set points before Gibson’s kill secured the second set. However, Houston committed seven attack errors in the third, allowing West Virginia to regain control before its fourth-set comeback.
Houston will next host the Utah Utes on Saturday, Nov. 14, inside the Fertitta Center. The Cougars will look to bounce back from a four-game losing streak as they enter the final stages of the regular season.
