The Cougars continued their hot streak to begin the season, winning their first game of the Texas State Invitational over UNT. | Oscar Herrera/The Cougar
The No. 13 University of Houston volleyball team began their trip to San Marcos with a 4-1 win against North Texas on Friday afternoon.
The Cougars dominated Friday’s match against North Texas with senior outside hitter Abbie Jackson totaling 21 kills and 56 digs as a team.
The Cougars took charge early with a block from junior outside hitter Katie Corelli and sophomore middle blocker Kellen Morin to establish an early 7-3 lead.
The Cougars were able to maintain their lead and closed out the first set 25-20 with 15 kills and only three attacking errors.
Set two opened with a big kill from graduate outside hitter Nena Mbonu to gain an early 3-2 lead. Remaining strong, Corelli swung through North Texas’ block to push the Cougars’ 9-7 gap.
The Cougars maintained momentum and high intensity, finishing set two 25-22 with a hitting efficiency of 0.29 totaling 13 kills.
The Cougars continued to pursue a 3-0 sweep entering set three with a kill from Jackson. After being down 7-10, Mbonu closed their three-point deficit with yet another block for the Cougars.
The Cougars fought hard but ultimately came up short 22-25 and set three was taken by North Texas.
In an unexpected fourth set, the Cougars played tight with UNT earning points back and forth to tie it up 15-15. Jackson got a big swing to initiate the Cougars’ lead.
The Cougars ran with momentum and worked their way to a seven-point gap, winning the match in four.
The Cougars will play Texas State on Saturday to complete the Texas State Invitational.
