Rice University
Hofstra
Rice Beats Hofstra 3-1
9/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 19, 2008
The Rice Owls volleyball team improved to 6-2 on the season with a tight four-set victory over Hofstra (5-6) at the BGSU Best Western Invitational in Bowling Green, Ohio. Set scores were 25-21, 20-25, 25-23, and 25-12.
The first three sets were even throughout with 22 ties. In the third set, Hofstra went on a 5-0 run to forge a 23-20 lead, before the Owls responded by outscoring The Pride 7-2 to close out the set. Rice was even down 20-23, but back-to-back kills by senior Jessica Holderness, a service ace by Tracey Lam, and two more Holderness kills gave Rice the win.
"The team showed a lot of maturity in coming from behind so late in the set to win the third set," commented Rice head coach Genny Volpe.
Holderness led Rice with a match-high 14 kills and a match-high .478 hitting percentage (14-3-23). Senior Karyn Morgan pounded 13 kills as well, while setter Meredith Schamun posted 43 assists with 12 digs.
Said Volpe about the duo, "Jess (Holderness) and Karyn (Morgan) really stepped it up in today's match on the court and in leading the team."
With the comeback in the third set, Rice took fight out of The Pride and was able to handily win the fourth set (25-12) with 13 kills and only one error for a .480 attack percentage.
"The momentum from the third set carried over into set four and we also served really tough," said Volpe. "We also had some inspiring plays such as Tracey Lam running down a ball and saving it."
Lam had a game-high 15 digs to lead Rice.
The Owls now play host Bowling Green State at 11:30 a.m. (Central) and Binghamton at 3:30 p.m. (Central) on Saturday.
