August 31, 2001
No. 18 Texas A&M swept Houston, 30-20, 30-13, 30-25, at the Crowne Plaza/Rice Invitational to improve its record to 2-0 on the first day of the season. The victory also extended the Aggies' winning streak against the Cougars to eight.
"It's always a big challenge for us when we play Houston," A&M coach Laurie Corbelli said. "It is such a great rivalry, and both teams are so familiar with each other. We knew we had to produce on our side of the court to win."
The Aggies struggled with their offense at the start of the opening game as the Cougars jumped out to a 10-4 lead. With Houston still holding a six-point lead at 12-6, junior middle blocker A.D. Achilefu stepped to the service line for the Aggies and rallied her team to seven consecutive points and a 13-12 lead. A&M never trailed for the rest of the frame, and it was Achilefu who finished off the game with her fourth service ace.
"A.D. is such a dynamic player," Corbelli said. "I've never coached anyone so powerfully quick. When she is on, the team just feeds off of it. She gave us the momentum."
A&M continued its pace in the second game, jumping out to a 9-1 lead. The Aggies built a 17-point lead following a kill by senior outside hitter Michelle Cole to put A&M ahead 28-11. The teams exchanged kills before A&M sophomore middle blocker Carol Price ended the game.
A&M, which outhit Houston .324 to .152 in the first game, hit .375 in the second game while holding Houston to a -.081 efficiency.
There were five lead changes in the third game before A&M took the lead for good at 18-17 on a kill by senior outside hitter Brandi Mount. The Aggies twice built a four-point at 21-17 and 25-21, but the Cougars fought back to tie the score at 25-25. Middle blocker Melissa Munsch got a kill to put A&M up, 26-25. The freshman then served out the match as four different players put down kills to give the Aggies the victory.
Senior outside hitter Erin Lechler and Cole led A&M with 14 and 10 kills, respectively. Cole also led the team in digs with 15. Jenna Moscovic added 11 digs, and Mount and Lechler contributed 10 digs apiece.
Achilefu finished the match with a match-high four blocks as A&M outblocked the Cougars, 8-4. A&M also outhit Houston, .290 to .069.
Jennifer Wittenburg led Houston with a match-high 17 kills but was held to a .170 hitting efficiency.
A&M returns to action at the Crowne Plaza/Rice Invitational Saturday against Stephen F. Austin at 1 p.m. and then concludes the tournament against the host Rice Owls at 5 p.m.