Nov. 23, 2002

Box Score

CHICAGO - Despite 23 kills by Jenny Tanneberger, the University of Houston volleyball team was defeated by South Florida 3-1 at the DePaul Athletic Center Saturday in the second round of the 2002 Conference USA Tournament. The seventh-seeded Cougars were outscored by the No. 2 Bulls, 30-24, 22-30, 30-26 and 30-22, after defeating TCU Friday afternoon in the opening match of the tournament.

Senior Jenny Tanneberger, a 2002 First-Team C-USA selection and three-time 2002 Player of the Week, led all hitters with 23 kills (.333) and three block assists. Laura Koster tallied her third double-double of the season, adding 12 kills and 10 digs. Senior setter Donna Sellen added 31 assists eight digs and four blocks assists. Jaci Gonzalez led the Cougar defense with 11 digs and senior Jane Anne Karasek added eight kills and digs.

Shameka Mitchell and two-time C-USA Player of the Year Michelle Collier each posted 14 kills for South Florida. C-USA Setter of the Year Ale Domingos led the Bulls defensive effort with 10 digs and had 49 assists.

The Cougars took any early 5-4 lead in game one, but the Bulls' hitting brigade pushed them to lead by as many as eight points. The Bulls went on to win 30-25 and led the series 1-0. An intense Houston squad retaliated in game two, jumping out to a 7-2 lead. Houston, who hit just .167 in game one, drilled its way to a .500 hitting mark and posted four key blocks to defeat the Bulls 30-22 in game two and tied the match 1-1.

Game three was filled with more dazzling defensive plays and six leads changes. Despite hitting just .167 as a squad, South Florida held on to win game three 30-26 and lead the match 2-1. Houston battled back from a nine-point deficit in game four and came within four at the 21-25 mark. South Florida capitalized on three late Houston service errors and went on to win the game 30-22 and the match 3-1.

The loss to South Florida (27-6,13-1 C-USA) concludes the end of conference play for Houston, which has already achieved its 21st consecutive winning season with two matches remaining in 2002. The Cougars (18-12, 8-7 C-USA) will face Arkansas Nov. 29 and Kentucky Nov. 30 at the University of Central Florida Tournament. Both matches are slated for 3:30 p.m.

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