Rice University Athletics
Rice University
Appalachian State
Owls Split Pair at Gamecock Invitational
9/7/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 7, 2007
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Rice defeated Appalachian State 30-24, 30-23, 28-30, 30-28 in the nightcap after falling to host South Carolina 30-20, 26-30, 30-21, 30-20 in the opener of the Nike Gamecock Invitational on Friday in Columbia, S.C.
The Owls hit a season-best .351 in their victory against the Mountaineers, with three players hitting better than .500. Sophomores Natalie Bogan (Oakland, Calif.) and Jennifer McClean (Cy Fair HS) posted 16 kills a piece to lead the offense with Bogan hitting .538. Their classmate Jessie Boulavsky (Clear Brook HS) added 13 kills on a team best .565 (13-0-23). Freshman Meredith Schamun (Murrieta, Calif.) had her best match of the year, setting up 62 assists.
Rice jumped out quick in the first game, building a 7-1 lead before ASU chipped away at the margin and knotted the score at 13-13. The Owls regained control with a 5-0 run and didn't look back. In the second frame, the teams traded the lead four times and fought through six early ties before Rice grabbed the momentum.
The Mountaineers refused to surrender and came out strong in the third frame and held the advantage until a late 6-0 rally pushed the Owls ahead for the first time at 25-23. After trading points, ASU closed out the game with a 5-1 run.
The battle intensified in game four with the lead changing hands 11 times along with 14 ties. The Mountaineers looked to take control, twice building late five-point leads (24-19 and 25-20), but the Owls rebounded with a 5-0 rally to get their rhythm back. After trading points again, Rice closed out the victory with a 4-1 run.
In the first match of the day, McClean paced the Owls with 16 kills and 17 digs, while junior Jessica Holderness (Sycamore, Ill.) added 12 kills.
After taking the first game, the Gamecocks jumped out to a quick 4-1 lead in the second before the Owls rallied back to tie it at 5-5 and 6-6. Rice then took advantage of a USC miscue to mount a 4-0 rally and take the lead for good.
The Gamecocks came back in game three, and after trading the first four points, launched a 5-0 run and never looked back.
Rice rebounded in game four and held a slim lead until the Gamecocks broke the 11th tie of the frame (15-15) and closed out strong for the win.
The Owls (4-5) face Troy on Saturday at 10 am CDT to close out their first road trip of the season.
