Rice University
Illinois State
Owls Win Holiday Inn Select/Rice Invitational
9/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 2, 2006
Rice vs. UTSA Box Score
Rice vs. Illinois State Box Score
DePaul vs. Illinois State Box Score
DePaul vs. UTSA Box Score
HOUSTON -- The Owls rebounded from a five-game setback against Texas-San Antonio earlier in the day to defeat Illinois State 28-30, 30-21, 32-30, 15-30, 15-11 to claim the championship match of the Holiday Inn Select/Rice Invitational in volleyball action on Saturday at Autry Court.
Rice sophomore Karyn Morgan was named the tournament MVP after averaging 5.15 kills per game and 3.77 digs per game over three matches. Joining her on the all-tournament team were junior libero Yvette Kirk, who averaged 3.62 dpg, and freshman Natalie Bogan, who hit .307 for the tournament and averaged 2.77 kpg.
Also on the all-tournament team were: Erin Lindsey (Illinois State), Lindley McDavid (Illinois State), Meagan Daniel (UTSA), Connie Picard (UTSA), and Morgan Ingersoll (DePaul).
In the tournament finale, and what would be the deciding match for first place, Rice jumped out to an early lead in the opening game, but Illinois State put together a 13-4 run to take a five-point lead. The Owls chipped away at the margin, tying the score on three occasions, but the Redbirds held on to take the first frame.
Rice struck first in game two, taking a 6-2 lead, and never looked back. Illinois State closed to within two, but a 4-0 run by the Owls, including three kills from freshman Jessie Boulavsky, returned the momentum to the Owls for the rest of the frame.
 All-Tournament Libero Yvette Kirk  | |
The battle intensified in the third game, in which the lead changed hands eight times and the score knotting up on 12 occasions. Illinois State fended off a game point from Rice and held a 30-29 edge, but a trio of Owl kills (two from Tessa Kuykendall and one from Morgan) closed out the frame in favor of the Blue and Gray.
The Redbirds came out strong in game four, and after trading points to open play, took control of the frame with a pair of 5-0 runs.
Illinois State seemed to carry its momentum into the decisive fifth game, taking a three-point lead in the early going. Rice then responded with a 6-0 rally to regain the lead. The Owls fended off the Redbirds' comeback attempt to secure the first-place trophy.
Morgan led the Owls in the match with career highs of 27 kills and 26 digs. Kuykendall added 16 kills and Bogan chipped in 12. Defensively, Kirk posted 15 digs, while junior Rachel Lopez and freshman Jennifer McClean each added 14.
In their first match of the day, the Owls fell to Texas-San Antonio 30-24, 27-30, 30-25, 26-30, 16-14. The two teams battled back and forth throughout the match In the final frame, Rice fought off three match points, before the Roadrunners finally scored the victory.
Morgan was again the Owls leader in the match, with 22 kills and 21 digs. McClean also had 21 digs, while Kirk had 20. Bogan finished the match with 17 kills.
DePaul and Illinois State began the day of volleyball action. After dropping the first frame, the Redbirds rallied back for a 25-30, 32-30, 30-18, 30-28 win.
Returning to the court less than an hour after their marathon victory against Rice, UTSA fell to DePaul 31-29, 24-30, 30-22, 30-22.
The Owls return to action on Wednesday at Autry Court with a 7 pm duel with McNeese State.
