Two volleyball programs seeking to get back on the winning track will face off Tuesday night at Johnson Coliseum when Sam Houston State plays host to the University of Houston at 7 p.m.
Sam Houston started the season strong winning all four matches as the Bearkats picked up their first tournament championship since 2002 at the Comfort Suites/SHSU Invitational Aug. 28-29. But the Kats found life tougher on the road as they lost consecutive matches last week to Rice, Southern Mississippi, Louisiana Tech, and Jacksonville.
Head coach Brenda Gray and her assistant Joe Lind hope a return to their home floor will help the young Sam Houston State team.
“The girls fought hard but we couldn’t pick up a win,” Lind said. “Our young players are learning and we’re going to start winning the close ones.”
Carli Kolbe and Anna Ferguson lead the Bearkat offense this year. Kolbe has totaled 114 kills in eight matches and Ferguson 83. Kelli Stewart also is a scoring threat with 50 kills this year.
Houston will bring a 1-6 record into Johnson Coliseum this Tuesday. The Cougars have played a challenging schedule. Their losses include Nevada, Arizona, Indiana, Baylor and New Orleans. Their only victory came over Southland Conference member Southeastern Louisiana in three sets in Houston last weekend.
Kinsey Cave, a 6-2 front line player, and leads the Cougars with 3.1 kills per set.
Following Tuesday’s match at Johnson Coliseum, the Bearkats head on the road again to play in the Nevada Classic.