MATCHUPS
Teams: ULM 3-6
University of Houston 4-2
Houston Baptist 5-4
San Jose State 4-2
Match Times:
Friday, Sept. 9
ULM vs Houston Baptist, 10 a.m.
ULM vs San Jose State, 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 10
ULM vs Houston, 3 p.m.
Location: Houston, Texas (Athletics/Alumni Center)
Monroe, La. – The ULM volleyball team will travel to Houston, Texas, to participate in the Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup and face Houston Baptist, University of Houston and San Jose State (Calif.).
NOTABLES
-ULM comes to the tournament with an overall record of 3-6. The team will enter the tournament off of a tough four set loss to Stephen F. Austin (Texas).
-Houston will play on its home court for the second weekend in a row as the team enters the tournament with a 4-2 overall record. The team opened up the season at the Houston Baptist Tournament and returned home the next weekend to compete in the Houston Cougar Classic. In both tournaments the Cougars went 2-1. ULM has only taken the court against Houston once before in 2006 at a neutral site. In that meeting, the Cougars swept the Warhawks.
-Houston Baptist will take the court over the weekend with a 5-4 overall record. The Huskies opened their season at home in the Marriott Houston Westchase Inviational. Since opening weekend, the team has only played one game that was not on its home court with a loss to Rice. Houston Baptist enters the tournament off of two wins in a row that closed out the Barcelona Labor Day Classic. ULM has only played Houston Baptist three times previously. The Huskies remain dominant over the Warhawks with a 3-0 record. The teams have only met on a neutral court once before.
-San Jose State comes to Texas with a 4-2 overall record. The Spartans opened up the season as host to the Spartan Invitational and the team is coming off of a 1-2 weekend in Utah at the Wolverine Invitational. ULM and the Spartans have never taken the court against each other.
-The Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup is named in honor of a former Houston volleyball player who went on to play on the U.S. Olympic volleyball team. Hyman made an impact on the people she came in contact with on and off the court. For more on Flo Hyman click here
QUOTABLES
The goal: Honestly, I'd say the goal this weekend is to come away healthy. We are a sick and bandaged up group right now.
What we want to see: That being said, this weekend is a chance for some players to step up and for others to rise above their circumstances. The games are still played. We are not the only team in the country dealing with injuries and illnesses. We have to push through and find a way to win. I'm curious to see which of our players can show some true Warhawk spirit and lead the way to victories this weekend.
About Houston Baptist: Houston Baptist has been playing very well so far this season. They are well coached and I expect them to play fundamentally sound volleyball. I also expect them to be strong mentally. We will have to beat them by staying aggressive throughout.
About Houston: Houston is very good. That program has been getting better every year for the past five years and I think they may be ready for a breakthrough year in their conference.
About San Jose State: San Jose State plays in a tough conference out west. I always want to beat teams from my home state. Call it bragging rights back home if you want. They will be tough to knock off but I look forward to the opportunity.
UP NEXT
After the Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup, the Warhawks will return to Monroe to open up their home schedule against Southern Miss at Fant-Ewing Coliseum on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.
