Friday, September 5
Raleigh, NC
6:00 PM
Rice University
2
at
3
North Carolina State
Owls Comeback Bid Falls Short At NC State
9/5/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 5, 2014
Final Stats | Box Score | Season Stats
RALEIGH, N.C. - Rice University volleyball showed plenty of heart and fight on the opening day of the Courtyard Midtown Classic, but came up short in a 3-2 loss to the NC State Wolfpack Friday evening, 18-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-19, 9-15.
After falling behind 0-2, Rice (2-3) rallied with back-to-back victories to force a fifth and deciding set. However, the Wolfpack (4-1) ensued to break an 8-8 tie by outscoring the Owls 7-1 to a match win. The five-set loss was the Owls eighth straight such setback dating back to the 2012-13 season and second this year.
Rice sophomores Sara Blasier (47 assists, 12 digs) and Leah Mikesky (16 kills, 12 digs) each recorded double-doubles for a second-straight match. Daniela Arenas (18 digs) and Kimberly Vaio (12 digs) joined Blasier and Mikesky in double-figure digs. Jillian Humphrey (12 kills) and Chelsey Harris (12 kills) followed Mikesky's team-leading 16 kills.
NC State outhit Rice by a slim margin of .242-.234 and had one more attack error, 25-24. The difference was at the net where the Wolfpack had 14 blocks to just eight for the Owls.
After falling behind 0-2, Rice rallied after intermission to win the third set and avoid the sweep with a 25-21 victory. The Owls hit .263 for set and then carried that momentum into the fourth set with a .367 attack percentage, resulting in a 25-19 victory.
In the fifth set the Wolfpack broke an 8-8 tie with five straight points of their own and then sealed the deal with a kill by Dariyan Hopper. NC State had four players finish in double-figure kills, led by a game-high 16 from Rachel Buckley.
The tournament continues on Saturday as Rice challenges UConn (3-1) at 9 a.m. CT and Toledo (0-4) in the afternoon at 4 p.m. CT.
-RiceOwls.com-
Players Mentioned
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
RS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
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