Mountaineers Earn Second Straight Victory in Road Test at Houston

Thursday, November 12

Houston, Texas

7:30 p.m.

West Virginia University

13-10,6-7Big 12

Houston

13-12,6-8Big 12

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
West Virginia	25	22	25	25	3
Houston	21	25	18	22	1

Cami Huff celebrates after a point in the win over Houston

November 12, 2026 10:58 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Season Stats

By: Farris Murad

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia University volleyball team (13-10, 6-7 Big 12) earned a 3-1 victory over Houston on Thursday night at the Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas, winning by set scores of 25-21, 22-25, 25-18 and 25-22.

West Virginia is now 5-0 in the state of Texas this year. The win marked the first back-to-back Big 12 wins since 2024 and most conference victories since 2021.

The Mountaineers opened the match with a strong offensive showing, hitting .455 with 19 kills in the first set. Senior opposite Trinity Sheridan led the way with six kills on nine attempts, while freshman outside hitter Macie Smith added five. WVU used a late push to create separation, scoring six of seven points to turn a 10-9 deficit into a 15-11 advantage. The Mountaineers maintained their lead the rest of the way, closing out the set, 25-21.

Houston responded in the second set, taking a 25-22 decision to even the match. WVU struggled to find its offensive rhythm, recording 13 kills and eight errors while hitting .139. The Cougars used a late run to build a 24-17 advantage before the Mountaineers scored five consecutive points to cut the deficit to two. Houston ultimately ended the rally to take the set.

West Virginia bounced back in the third, using a strong start to take control. Trailing 1-0, the Mountaineers scored four straight points, including back-to-back service aces from senior middle blocker Maddy McGath, to take a 4-1 lead. WVU continued to build its advantage, stretching the margin to 10-5 before eventually claiming the set, 25-18. The Mountaineers held Houston to a .129 hitting percentage in the frame, forcing seven attack errors.

The Mountaineers secured the match in the fourth set after overcoming an early deficit. Houston jumped out to a 12-3 lead, but WVU responded with an impressive 12-3 run to tie the set at 15. The teams traded points down the stretch, reaching a 22-22 deadlock before West Virginia scored the final three points to seal the 25-22 victory.

Sheridan and senior outside hitter Nina Horning paced the Mountaineers offensively with 15 kills apiece. Sheridan hit .429 and added five blocks, while Horning hit .385 and recorded two service aces. McGath finished with 10 kills on 18 attempts, hitting a match-high .556, while adding two aces and four blocks.

Senior setter Alexis Finnvold dished out a team-high 29 assists, while freshman setter Lauren Duncan added 15. Freshman defensive specialist/libero Reagan Turk led the defensive effort with 16 digs, and Horning and Finnvold added nine apiece. West Virginia finished the night hitting .290 as a team, compared to Houston's .225.

The Mountaineers evened the season series with the Cougars at 1-1 and moved the all-time record between the schools to 2-6, collecting their first win at the Fertitta Center.

WVU coach Jen Greeny also evened her series against Houston coach David Rehr, improving to 2-2 against him.

West Virginia returns home on Sunday, Nov. 15, for a rematch with UCF at Hope Coliseum with first serve set for 12:30 p.m. ET.

For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUVolleyball on Facebook, Instagram and X.