Coogs are pretty tough at home, but SMU is a load. Hopefully the Coogs can get at least one victory this weekend. SMU is 68th in the RPI while Tulsa is 142nd. Coogs are up to 194th
SMU
_• The Mustangs enter Friday with a 10-2 conference record and 16-7 overall mark. _ • SMU leads The American and ranks 16th in the nation in digs per set (17.65). The Mustangs also rank third in conference in both kills (13.57) and blocks per set (2.38).
_• Freshman Lexi Nordmann ranks second in The American in blocks per set (1.25), while sophomore Kendall Patterson ranks third in assists per set (10.08) and leads the team in hitting percentage (.367). Sophomore Montana Watts sits fifth in the league in digs per set (4.82), while senior Lauren Mills (3.55) and junior Brittany Adams (3.10) are seventh and 10th in conference in kills per set. _ • Houston dropped a contested 3-0 decision at SMU on Sept. 24. • Head Coach Lisa Seifert is in her 22nd season at the reins of the Mustangs. • SMU was picked fourth in The American Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
Tulsa • The Golden Hurricane, who visit Tulane on Friday, are 5-7 in league play and 11-13 overall on the season. • Tulsa ranks third in The American in digs per set (17.22). • Sophomore Taylor Horsfall leads the league in digs per set (6.08), while junior Emily Thorson ranks second in kills per set (3.98). Freshman Lindsey Ledyard ranks third among freshman in the conference in assists per set (5.83). Freshman Callie Cooke leads the team in both blocks per set (0.89) and hitting percentage (.276).
_• Houston fell 3-2 in its conference opener at Tulsa on Sept. 22. _ • The Golden Hurricane is under the direction of fourth-year Head Coach Ryan Willis. • Tulsa was tabbed ninth in The American Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE • Duncan recorded her second double-double of the season and third of her career in a 25-kill, 12-dig effort. Her 25 kills, which were a match high and marked her 11th time to lead the team on the season, were a career high. Duncan also finished with a career-high six blocks (all assisted). • Irvine recorded her team-leading eighth double-double of the season in a 30-assist, 31-dig effort. Her 31 digs were a career high and marked her first time to lead the team in digs on the season. • Afflerbaugh recorded her seventh double-double of the season and 14th of her career in a 16-kill, 12-dig effort. She added a match-high two service aces. • Gardner finished with 10 kills and a match-high eight blocks (all assisted), one off her career high, while Walker totaled eight kills and four blocks (one solo, three assisted). • Defensively, sophomore libero Katie Karbo recorded 24 digs, while redshirt freshman defensive specialist Kylie Napoleon tallied a career-high 17 digs. • Setters Katie Krebs and Keandra McCardell finished with 18 and 10 assists, respectively.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE • Irvine recorded her team-leading ninth double-double of the season in a 29-assist, 16-dig effort. • Senior outside hitter Brianna Lynch led Houston with 12 kills, her 11th time to lead the team on the season. • Senior outside hitter Sarah Afflerbaugh finished with 11 digs, nine kills and tied her season high with three service aces. • Duncan finished with nine kills and nine digs. • Gardner finished with nine kills, three service aces and three blocks (all assisted). • Defensively, Karbo finished with 19 digs, while redshirt freshman defensive specialist Kylie Napoleon tallied 11 digs. • The Cougars recorded 10 service aces, their most in a conference match and tied for their second highest total overall in 2017. • Tulsa outhit Houston, .234-.146.
