Rice University
Sam Houston State
Owls Down Bearkats 3-1
10/11/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 11, 2005
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HOUSTON -- Rice senior Olaya Pazo posted her fifth-consecutive double-double with 21 kills and 14 digs and freshman Karyn Morgan served up five aces to lead the Owls to a 30-26, 30-20, 20-30, 30-15 victory against Sam Houston State in non-conference action Tuesday night at Autry Court.
Some early offensive struggles by the Owls led to the Bearkats pulling out to a five-point lead. Trailing 16-11, junior Tessa Kuykendall connected on a set from senior Kristina Hoban to spark an 8-0 Rice run as sophomore Kristina Dennemann served for seven-straight points. Sam Houston State stayed close, though, recovering to knot the score at 21. Then it was Morgan's time to shine. The newcomer from Episcopal High School posted a kill, then stepped back to serve six-straight points, including three aces. Pazo then scored the Owls' final two points to secure the frame.
Game two opened with Hoban and Morgan putting on a serving clinic. Hoban served for Rice's first four points of the match, including an ace, then it was Morgan's turn again after a pair of points from the Bearkats. Morgan recorded a kill to get the ball back and promptly scored an ace. She served for another five points, including another ace, as the Owls built an 11-2 lead and never looked back.
Rice's game one hitting woes returned in the third frame, but after 14 ties, the Owls looked to finally take over, building a 19-16 lead. The Bearkats, though, took advantage of a Rice mis-hit and rallied off 10-straight points to grab the momentum and cruise to a game three victory.
Hoban rallied the Owls to open game four, serving Rice to a 7-0 lead, including a pair of aces. The Bearkats would get no closer than four points as the Owls slowly pulled away. With Rice holding a 22-12 lead, Pazo served for six-straight points, three off aces to ice the match.
Pazo's 21 kills led all hitters, while she and Hoban posted 14 digs each to lead Rice. Morgan recorded her fourth double-double in the last five matches, finishing with 11 kills and 11 digs to go along with her career high five aces. Kuykendall added 10 kills and had a hand in five of the Owls' eight blocks.
The win improves Rice's record to 11-4 overall. The Owls return to the road and Conference-USA action this weekend traveling to face UCF on Friday at 6 pm (CDT) and Southern Miss on Sunday at noon.
