Rice University
Houston
Owls Upset by Cougars
11/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 13, 2008
The Rice Owls volleyball team was upset by the Houston Cougars 3-0 at UH's Alumni Athletic Center Thursday night. Game scores were 25-17, 30-28, and 25-23. Rice is now 21-6 and 12-4 in Conference USA action. Houston improves to 18-11 and 10-6 in C-USA play.
The Owls began set one staring at a 6-2 deficit, but were able to whittle Houston's lead and tied it up at 16-16 on a Jessica Holderness kill. Following a Houston timeout, the Cougars outscored the Owls 9-1 to win 25-17.
Rice hit only .132 while allowing the Cougars a .306 hitting percentage. The Owls' Karyn Morgan led all attackers with 5 kills.
Set two saw Rice again starting the set in a deficit at 6-1 before tying it at 11-11. Rice was ahead 16-15, when UH went on a 4-2 run, to forge a 19-18 margin. The two teams would battle back and forth after it was tied 22-22 before Houston was able to pull away 30-28. The Owls outhit UH 18 to 15 and .189 to .149, but four costly service errors hurt Rice's chances. Morgan led Rice with 5 kills, while the Cougars' Justine Farmer tallied 8 kills.
The Owls were ahead 19-16 in set three before UH came back to knot the score at 22. The Cougars would then outscore Rice 3-1 for the victory. Rice posted a .119 attack percentage to UH's .250.
On the night, Rice was led by Karyn Morgan's 14 kills, while Natalie Bogan totaled 10 kills as the Owls hit just .147 to UH's .227.
Houston was led by Justine Farmer's 15 kills and Lacy Charuk added 12.
Rice is in action again at next week's Conference USA championship in Memphis.
