Tulsa Volleyball Begins Four-Game Homestand This Weekend vs. Tulane, Houston

Match Notes (PDF)
TULSA, Okla. - After trips to SMU and Memphis last weekend, the Tulsa volleyball team will start a four-game homestand, beginning with Tulane on Friday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. The Golden Hurricane will then take to the court against Houston on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 1 p.m.

This weekend's matches are key contests for all three teams. The Golden Hurricane (10-7, 3-1 The American), the Green Wave (13-4, 3-1), and the Cougars (10-9, 4-0) rank in the top three of the western division. Each team is looking to clinch a spot in the inaugural American Athletic Conference Tournament. The top two teams from each division will secure an automatic berth, while the remaining two slots are awarded to the two teams with the overall best record.

Tulane heads to Tulsa having won five of its last six matches, and eight of nine on the road. The Green Wave were picked to finish third in The American Preseason Coaches' Poll, and atop the western division. Head coach Jim Barnes is in his fourth season at Tulane. Last season, he guided the Green Wave to a record-breaking year going 29-9 and appearing in the final round of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship NIVC).

The winner of the contest will either be tied with Houston or claim sole possession of second in the division, as both teams enter at 3-1 in conference play. Tulsa has won three of the last four contests against Tulane, and lead the all-time series 16-15.

Houston has been a surprise team under first-year head coach David Rehr. Picked to finish 10th in the preseason coaches' poll, the Cougars are 10-9 and just one of two undefeated American teams in conference play (Cincinnati). Houston has won five straight matches with each one determined in five sets.

Sunday's match against the Cougars features two of the top liberos in The American in Tulsa's Taylor Horsfall and Houston's Katie Karbo. The two rank in the top-seven in the country in total digs. Karbo ranks second with 425 digs, followed by Horsfall in seventh with 360. The two also lead The American in digs per set. Horsfall leads the conference, averaging 5.56 d/s, while Karbo chips in 5.12 d/s.

In their lone meeting last year, the Golden Hurricane swept Houston, 3-0. Tulsa leads the all-time series 20-7. The Golden Hurricane have won six straight and 18 of 19 against the Cougars.

Tickets for all home volleyball matches this year are $5.00 for general admission seating. A group price of $3.00 per ticket for a minimum of 15 persons is available by calling 918.631.GoTU (4688).

Fans unable to attend Tulsa home matches in person can watch the Golden Hurricane live on TulsaHurricane.com/watch. There is a 24HR Pass, a Monthly Pass and Yearly Pass that allows you to watch all TU home men's and women's soccer, volleyball and softball games depending on the package purchased.

To keep up with the latest news Tulsa volleyball, visit TulsaHurricane.com and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Tulsa Volleyball Begins Four-Game Homestand This Weekend vs. Tulane, Houston

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Taylor Horsfall