University of Louisville
Houston
Volleyball Collars Houston Cougars 3-1
September 30, 2001 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 30, 2001
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Lesley Drury had 19 kills, 15 digs and five blocks to help the No. 25-ranked University of Louisville to a 3-1 over Houston in Conference USA volleyball action at Cardinal Arena.
Louisville, improves to 9-1 and is 4-0 in Conference USA play. Houston drops to 5-7, 2-2 in league play.
"We were patient and didn't let a few hitting errors get us frustrated. We made some adjustments in our blocking which helped," said Leonid Yelin, U of L head coach. "These teams matchup well and it was an ideal for television because of the intensity of the rivalry. Both teams get fired up for this match."
Houston managed what only two teams have done this season: win the first game of the match. The Cougars hit .297 in that game, to the Cardinals' .195. Louisville's blocking was porous and the Cougars kept swinging away at it to edge U of L 30-28.
"We knew Houston would be very motivated to beat us after losing to Cincinnati on Friday," said Leonid Yelin, U of L head coach. "Being travel partners with Cincinnati, makes this weekend swing difficult because Louisville and UC were picked first and second in the pre-season poll."
In the second game, Louisville's block came alive and cooled down UH's hitting to .074. Meanwhile, the Cards hit .233 with 16 kills on 43 attacks.
In the third set, both teams scrambled to get any kind of run going in a game that was marked by long rallies and defensive lapses by both teams. The Cardinals were outhit .150 to .153 but managed to squeak by the Cougars 30-28.
In the fourth and final game, the Cardinals built a 15-10 tenuous lead, which seemed comfortable given the heated nature of the match. Houston went on a 9-4 run to tie at 19 and then again at 22,23 and 27 before falling 30-28.
Houston was led by Jennifer Whittenburg's 28 kills, 22 digs and two blocks.
"Jennifer is an experienced leader out on the floor for them and a strong competitor," said Yelin.
Louisville returns to C-USA action Friday, Oct. 5 when they travel to UAB and then Oct. 7 at South Florida.
