Rice University
Houston Baptist
Owls Whip the Huskies
8/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 29, 2009
Houston -- Rice improved its season record to 3-1 with a 3-1 (25-13, 25-12, 21-25, and 25-15) win over Houston Baptist in the Mizuno Invitational in Tudor Fieldhouse on the Rice campus. The Huskies are now 1-3 on the year.
The Owls handily captured set one 25-13 with a .278 attack percentage (12-2-36). Senior outside hitter Jenn McClean led the attack with 5 kills and a .556 hitting percentage (5-0-9). HBU only sported a .026 hitting percentage (8-7-38). Sarah Hazelwood led the Huskies with 3 kills.
It was more of the same in set two as the Owls won 25-12, with sophomore Lin Yuan serving up an ace for the final point. Rice hit a sterling .440 with 13 kills to HBU's .067 (8 kills). Natalie Bogan led Rice with 4 kills, while Heather Leverton had 5 kills for the Huskies.
With the score tied at 16 in set three, HBU forged a 5 point lead to take a 22-17 lead before winning 25-21. Natalie Bogan led Rice with 5 kills as the Owls hit .182. HBU had a .257 hitting percentage and 4 team blocks for the win.
Rice took control of game four early en route to a 25-15 victory as they carved a 12-4 margin. Channing Grigsby's service ace gave the Owls a 17-8 lead.
Rice hit .242 in the clinching set with Jenn McClean leading the way with 6 kills and Jessie Boulavsky followed with 3 kills of her own. HBU hit -.111. (4-7-27).
For the match, Rice hit .276 and was led by Jenn McClean's 14 kills (.400) and match-high 20 digs. Natalie Bogan's had 12 kills (.407), while setter Meredith Schamun had 37 assists. Boulavsky had 7 kills as well.
HBU hit only .069 and was led by Sarah Hazelwood and Heather Leverton's 7 kills apiece.
Oklahoma defeated Central Arkansas 3-1 (25-22, 20-25, 25-8, 25-10) to go through the tournament undefeated (4-0).
Rice now readies for its Tuesday (Sept. 1) night match vs. Sam Houston State at 7 p.m. in Tudor Fieldhouse.
Mizuno Invitational All-Tournament Team
MVP: Brianne Barker, Oklahoma
Libero: Maria Fernanda, Oklahoma
Bridget Laplante, Oklahoma
Natalie Bogan, Rice
Jessie Boulavsky, Rice
Chloe Smith, Central Arkansas
Ligia Clemente, Houston Baptist
