HOUSTON ? The Sam Houston State volleyball team fell to the Houston Cougars in three sets in the Bearkats' final non-conference match of the 2008 season Tuesday night.

Houston won 25-14 25-22 25-19, totaling 38 kills to Sam Houston's 27.  The loss drops the Bearkats to 5-11 for the season. UH upped its season record to 7-5.

Anna Ferguson led Sam Houston with nine kills. Justine Farmer had a match high 11 kills for the Cougars.

Houston never trailed in the first set, winning by 11 points. The second set was tied 10 times with Sam Houston up 21-18 before the Cougars rallied to win seven of the last eight points.

The third set was tied four times, the last at 8-8.

Sam Houston will open Southland Conference action this Friday when they travel to Beaumont to play Lamar.