Since losing 3-1 to Kentucky on Sept. 9, the Cougars have not lost a set, sweeping their last three opponents. | Joshua Siegel/The Daily Cougar
Fresh off their three-set sweep of Rice on Tuesday, the Cougars will return home tomorrow to face Southern Mississippi.
UH (8-3, 1-0 Conference USA) enters the match up on a four-game winning streak at the Athletics/Alumni Center, and as winners of five of its last six games.
“Discipline for this team, right now, is understanding what your specific role is and then getting that job done,” head coach Molly Alvey said. “It’s two-fold: understanding and executing. I think we’re really growing into that idea as a team.
“Our preseason has really paid off for us, and now we have to focus on continuing to execute.”
The Owls were the third consecutive opponent to fall to the Cougars in straight sets.
At the forefront of the Cougars recent surge is middle blocker Lucy Charuk. Through 11 games, the senior has averaged a team-high .364 hitting percentage and racked 111 kills.
Charuk has continually held the team together in tight moments, and appeared not only as UH’s most dominant offensive weapon, but also the strongest clutch performer.
Southern Miss. turns it around
All six of the Golden Eagles’ (6-6) losses have come on the road this season, but they will try to build on their recent offensive upturn in their C-USA opener.
In recent competition at the Houston Baptist Invitational, the Golden Eagles won two of three matches, defeating Louisiana Tech and Southern Louisiana in three sets each.
Outside hitter Halie Ecker (3.19 kills per set) and senior middle blocker Lauren Sears (.321 hitting percentage) lead the Golden Eagles on offense. UH will try to combat them with an increased emphasis on detail.
“We’ve talked a lot about big picture stuff,” Alvey said. “You’ve got to score 25 points, but the smaller picture is that if we each do our job, and score little points where we can, the big picture doesn’t seem so big,” Alvey said. “Our job here on out is executing.”
First serve against the Golden Eagles is set for 7 p.m. at the Athletics/Alumni Center.
The Cougars will continue home court action 1 p.m. Sunday against Tulane.
