Rice University
Sam Houston State
Owls Devour the Bearkats In Volleyball Wth 3-0 Win
9/1/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 1, 2009
Houston - The Rice volleyball team won its fourth match of the season and handed Sam Houston State its first loss as the Owls won 3-0 in Tudor Fieldhouse. Game scores were 25-22, 25-17, and 25-13. The Owls are now 4-1, while the Bearkats drop to 4-1.
Head Genny Volpe was certainly pleased with her troops.
"I was happy with a 3-0 win after an up and down weekend," commented Volpe. "Our play was more consistent this evening especially with our hitting efficiency. I was really happy with our middle blockers. They executed great tonight and Meredith (Schamun) did a excellent job running the game plan and the offense."
Rice rallied several times throughout the first set to win 25-22. Sam Houston State held leads at 9-7, 14-10, and 17-15 before overtaking the Bearkats. A kill by middle blocker Caroline Gill, one of four by her, placed the Owls ahead for good at 22-21 and middle blocker Nancy Cole's kill gave Rice the victory. Besides Gill, Rice also received 4 kills apiece from seniors' Natalie Bogan, a middle blocker, and Jenn McClean (outside hitter). Gill hit .667 (4-0-6), while Bogan hit .500 (4-0-8) to lead the attack. Meredith Schamun had 14 assists.
Rice then got medieval on the Bearkats in sets two and three in winning 25-17 and 25-13.
The Owls broke an 8-8 tie in set two when they outscored the Bearkats 10 to 3 for an 18-11 lead they would not relinquish. Gill again posted 4 kills and a block solo. She hit .667 (4-0-6). Bogan and Cole each added 3 kills as Rice hit .429 (14-2-28). Sam Houston State mustered only a .074 attack percentage (9-7-27).
It was much of the same in set three as the Owls jumped out to a 9-4 lead and never looked back. They increased it to 18-11 before winning 25-13. Cole led Rice with 4 kills for a .571 attack percentage (4-0-7) as the team hit .407. SHSU only hit -.059.
For the match, Rice hit .330 with 43 kills, 12 errors in 94 attacks. The Bearkats only hit .031 (26-23-98) as the Owls had 7 blocks and 43 digs.
Gill led Rice with 10 kills and .529 attack percentage (10-1-17). Bogan followed with 9 kills and a .471 hitting percentage (9-1-17). Cole hit a season-high .412 with 8 kills, 1 error in 17 attacks. Schamun had a match-high 32 assists and Tracey Lam had a match-high 13 digs.
Sam Houston State's Carli Kolbe led all attackers with 11 kills.
Rice now travels to San Francisco this weekend to compete in the University of San Francisco's USF Challenge Friday and Saturday.
We know this weekend be a challenge with strong competiton and we are looking forward to it.
