Volleyball: Owls Blast Tigers in Opener, 3-0

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Volleyball: Owls Blast Tigers in Opener, 3-0

9/1/2004

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HOUSTON ? The Rice volleyball team opened the 2004 season in an impressive fashion, setting a team hitting record while blasting Texas Southern 30-10, 30-9, 30-13 Wednesday night at Autry Court.

Rice finished the match with a new school record after hitting .495 (54-9-91), breaking the 13-year old mark of .484 (54-9-93) set against Texas-San Antonio on Sept. 7, 1991.

First-year head coach Genny Volpe's Owls stormed out of the gates in game one. After a Rebecca Kainz kill off the Tigers' first serve, Kristina Hoban serve six straight points to put the Owls up 7-0 and they never looked back. Rice finished the first game hitting a whopping .760 (20-1-25) and knocking down five blocks. Kainz and Tessa Kuykendall posted five kills each to lead the way.

It was more of the same in the second game with Hoban getting things started with an ace. With the Owls up 13-6, Hoban stepped back to serve and reeled off nine-consecutive points, including three aces. Rebeca Pazo paced Rice in the second with four kills on six attempts. The Owls also recorded 19 of their 38 digs in the game.

The Rice defense really picked up in game three, holding TSU to -.143 hitting on the strength of five blocks. It was newcomer Olaya Pazo's time to shine in the third as she led the Owls with five kills and four digs while getting in on a pair of blocks.

Kainz finished with a match-high 12 kills and eight blocks. Both Pazos notched 11 kills, with Rebeca scoring five aces and Olaya notching seven digs to lead the way. Hoban finished the night with 41 assists while Catherine DuPont came off the bench in game two to add seven digs. The Owls finished the match with 15 aces and 11 blocks.

Next up for Rice is an unexpected trip to Baton Rouge, La. The Owls were originally slated to play at the Hurricane Invitational in Miami, Fla., but Hurricane Frances has forced the cancellation of that tournament. The Owls will now participate in a tournament of other teams displaced by Frances hosted by Louisiana State. Joining Rice and LSU are Central Florida and possibly Texas Christian. Action will commence on Friday and conclude either Saturday or Sunday. Match times have yet to be announced.

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Volleyball: Owls Blast Tigers in Opener, 3-0

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