Rice University
Sam Houston State
Owls Tame Bearkats - Win 3-1
9/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 2, 2008
Huntsville, Texas -- The Rice Owls volleyball team improved to 3-1 on the year with a 3-1 victory over Sam Houston State on Tuesday night in Huntsville, Texas. Games scores were 25-16, 25-13, 23-25, and 25-20. The Bearkats drop to 2-3.
The Owls handled Sam Houston State easily in the first two sets outhitting the Bearkats .444 with 30 kills to -0.24 and 12 kills. But, in set three SHSU rallied from a 3-7 deficit to take an 8-7 lead. It was back and forth the rest of the way, but the Bearkats prevailed 25-23 with an ace and a ball handling error for the last two points.
"I was real pleased with our performance in the first two sets,"said Rice head coach Genny Volpe. "Sam Houston State came out in the third set more aggressive and our response was not as strong as it needed to be. We need to keep executing and stay aggressive and not be tentative, because that is how we win."
In set four, Rice outhit the Bearkats .229 to .139 to seal the victory.
For the match, the Owls hit .270 with 57 kills in 141 attacks with 75 digs. Seniors Karyn Morgan and Jessica Holderness led Rice with 12 kills. Meredith Schamun posted 47 assists and Tracey Lam had a match-high 25 digs.
Sam Houston State hit .055 with 33 kills in 146 attacks. Sarah Hazelwood had 12 kills and a .320 hitting percentage.
Rice now gets ready to compete at the Baylor Classic this Friday and Saturday in Waco, Texas. The Owls meet UT-San Antonio at 9:30 a.m. on and Weber State at 5 p.m. on Friday and Baylor at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
