Rice Starts Three-Match Home Stand on Friday
10/6/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 6, 2005
HOUSTON -- After seven-straight matches away from home, the Rice volleyball team returns to Autry Court to host Tulsa on Friday and SMU on Saturday, with both matches starting at 7 pm.
The Owls are 9-3 this year with a 1-1 mark in Conference USA action. Autry Court has proven to be tough place for visitors to play in recent years. Since 2002, Rice boasts a 34-4 record at home, including a perfect 11-0 mark last year. Rice hasn't played at home since Sept. 6 and is 3-1 at Autry Court this season. Senior Olaya Pazo leads the Owls offense this season with 4.80 kills per game and has posted double-digit kills in 11 of 12 matches.
Tulsa is 14-2 this season and 1-1 in C-USA action, splitting with SMU. The Owls swept the Golden Hurricane in all three meetings in 2004, including a 30-21, 30-27, 30-14 victory at Autry Court. SMU is 6-9 overall this season and 2-1 in C-USA. In addition to splitting with Tulsa, the Mustangs defeated UCF earlier this week 3-1. Rice swept both matches with SMU in 2004, taking a 30-24, 30-23, 30-21 decision at Autry Court.
The Owls will have eight of their next 10 matches at Autry Court, including next Tuesday against Sam Houston State.
