Tulane University
Houston
Volleyball Falls To Houston In Home Finale, 3-0
Nov 3, 2001 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 3, 2001
NEW ORLEANS, La. - Redshirt-freshman outside hitter Anastasia Kenon tallied a double-double with 16 kills and 15 digs, but it was not enough as the Tulane University volleyball team dropped its home finale to Conference USA foe Houston, 3-0, Saturday evening at Fogelman Arena.
Tulane played hard throughout the contest, but after dropping a tough 36-34 decision in game two, the wind fell from the Green Wave's sails as the home team lost in straight games. With the loss, Tulane falls to 16-11 on the year and 7-7 in league play. Houston, meanwhile, improves to 13-9 overall and 10-3 in conference action.
"That game two loss broke our backs for the rest of the match," head coach Betsy Becker said. "There's certain point in every match that can be a turning point. The end of game two was that turning point. Had it gone the other way, and we put the nails in the coffin, the rest of the match would have been a different story."
The match also marked the final appearance in Fogelman Arena for seniors Erin Dobyanski and Jennifer Witte. Dobyanski ranks among the top 10 in the Tulane record book for digs, blocks and attacks, and Witte is already the schools' all-time leader in assists.
"I feel saddened for the seniors that we had to go out like this, but it is not indicative of the impact they've had on our program. They have truly set the tone for greatness," Becker said. "Jennifer and Erin have made a lasting impression on this team."
The Green Wave tallied 45 kills, 54 digs and nine blocks as a team, but Tulane did not have an answer for the Houston duo of Jennifer Wittenburg and Jenny Tanneberger who combined to record 35 digs. Wittenburg led all players with 24 kills and 16 digs, while Tanneberger tallied 11 and nine, respectively.
"Wittenburg is the real deal and she proved it tonight," Becker said. "She is the total package, and the rest of the team does of good job of being the supporting cast."
Junior outside hitter Britney Hurst tallied 15 kills, and freshman middle hitter Deva Fowler was next with seven. Dobyanski and sophomore defensive specialist Karlyn Daly each had eight digs, and freshman setter Katie Case had 36 assists.
Houston came out of the gate on fire and raced out to an 8-0 lead. Tulane cut the lead to one at 11-10, but the Cougars responded with a 9-5 rally to keep the Green Wave within arms reach. The Cougars increased their lead to seven at 26-19, and outscored the Green Wave 4-1 the rest of the way to take game one, 30-20.
In game two, however, Tulane stayed with Houston step-for-step, but with the score knotted at 13-all, Tulane went on a 8-3 run to take a comfortable 21-16 lead. The lead stayed at five with the Green Wave on top 25-20, but Houston went on a 7-0 rally to take a 27-25 lead and held game point at 29-27.
Tulane bounced back to tie things up at 29-29 and staved off two more game-point serves, but Tulane could never put the contest away. Twelve points and five ties later, the Green Wave found themselves on the short end of a 36-34 decision.
Game three was all Houston early on, again, as the Cougars roared out to a 6-0 lead. Once again, the Green Wave chipped away at the Houston advantage, and cut the lead to three at 10-7 again at 12-9. At that point, however, Houston went on a 10-2 rally to take a 22-11 lead and never looked back. Tulane cut the lead to five at 24-19, but that was as close as the Green Wave could get at Houston went on to win, 30-22.
The Green Wave returns to action on Friday, Nov. 9 when the team travels to Alabama to take on Conference USA opponent UAB at 7 p.m. Tulane will close out the regular season on Sunday, Nov. 11 in Tampa, Fla., against South Florida at 1 p.m. in The Corral.
