News Summary
The Houston Volleyball team will host UCF for a pivotal match as part of Blocktoberfest, including special promotions and a live stream on ESPN+. With UCF holding a strong record this season, both teams will seek to improve their conference standings. Additionally, discussions on a potential space-themed rivalry between the universities are underway, showcasing the shared connection to their proximity to major space landmarks.
Houston, Texas – The Houston Volleyball team is set to wrap up its October home schedule by hosting the University of Central Florida (UCF) for a match on Wednesday, October 22, at 7 p.m. The event will take place at the Fertitta Center and is part of a celebration known as Blocktoberfest, coinciding with the university’s annual student appreciation match.
The volleyball match against UCF will be streamed live on ESPN+, allowing fans to follow the action from anywhere. To enhance the match experience, special promotions will be available: the first 75 students who attend will receive a free pretzel, while the first 100 fans will be given a University of Houston bottle opener.
In terms of performance this season, UCF holds an impressive record of 9 wins, 2 losses, and 4 draws, with a conference play record of 3-1-4. Houston’s volleyball team, meanwhile, has recorded 7 wins, 3 losses, and 5 draws overall, and 2-3-3 in conference play. This matchup will be crucial for both teams as they look to improve their standings in the conference.
Looking beyond the volleyball court, discussions are underway between UCF and UH regarding a potential “space-themed” rivalry for future football matchups. UCF’s athletic director has shown interest in establishing a “Space Cup” game. The geographic proximity of both universities to significant space-related landmarks strengthens this idea, as UCF is located just 35 miles from the Kennedy Space Center, while UH is less than 30 miles away from NASA’s Johnson Space Center, home to Mission Control.
The connection to the space program is a point of pride for both institutions. Notably, Dr. Bernard Harris, an alumnus of UH, was the first Black person to walk in space. UCF’s ties to the space industry are also significant, with approximately 30% of Kennedy Space Center employees being UCF graduates. The university features a unique mascot history, with its original character, the Citronaut, representing a Florida orange in a space suit. UCF hosts an annual “Space Game”, which is celebrated with space-themed uniforms, the next of which will take place against UH on November 7 in Orlando.
Both universities are keen on developing a protected rivalry, although scheduling may pose a challenge. Previous discussions regarding this idea occurred between UH’s former athletic director and UCF’s current athletic director, demonstrating mutual interest and enthusiasm for a long-term engagement.
As the match approaches, both teams will look to leverage their unique strengths and improve their competitive records while engaging with students and fans during this exciting event. Houston Volleyball hopes to capitalize on home-court advantage and a vibrant atmosphere at the Fertitta Center during the Blocktoberfest festivities.
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Additional Resources
- Houston Cougars Volleyball Preview
- Houston Chronicle: UH – UCF Football Rivalry
- Colorado Volleyball Hosts UCF and Houston
- Chron.com: Houston Cougars UCF Knights Space Game
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Volleyball
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