The Cougar volleyball team (17-11, 9-6 Conference USA) stunned C-USA powerhouse Alabama-Birmingham with a come-from-behind win in five sets on Sunday, and looks to carry that momentum into its game against Rice at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Athletics/Alumni Center.
The Cougars look to avenge a 3-1 loss to Rice on Oct. 21 at Fox Gymnasium. Houston lost the match despite 21 kills and eight digs from senior outside hitter Justine Farmer.
Rice (21-5, 12-3 C-USA) has won 11 of its last 12 matches heading into the matchup with Houston. The Owls haven’t lost a match since they dropped a 3-2 decision to Tulane on Oct. 24, but UH head coach Bill Walton is not intimated by the Owls’ record.
"(UAB) was first place coming into the weekend, and we beat them," he said.
Farmer, who recorded a double-double against UAB with 26 kills and 15 digs, said the Cougars’ win against the Blazers gives the team confidence going into the game against Rice.
"It is (a big win) because of (the Blazers’) ranking, but I think that Thursday night will be the better victory," she said.
Three Cougars achieved double-doubles against the Blazers: Farmer, senior setter Kelsey King (47 assists, 15 digs) and freshman outside hitter Nataliya Panova, who added a season-high 17 kills and 14 digs in Houston’s win.
"Give credit to Nataliya coming off the bench," Walton said.
Farmer leads the team with 415 kills on the season. King has a team-high 1,145 assists and sophomore defensive specialist Amanda Carson heads the Cougars with 344 digs this year.
Houston must beat Rice to stay alone in fourth place in C-USA, and hopes to knock the Owls out of second place position with a victory. The Cougars’ win against UAB assured Tulane, who beat Tulsa 3-0 on Sunday, a share of the regular season conference title.
Houston will honor its three seniors – Farmer, King and middle blocker Barbara Freitas – before the game on Thursday. Students are admitted to the game free with a valid CougarOne card.
