Rice University Athletics
Volleyball Opens C-USA Season at UTEP
9/20/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
UTEP-Louisiana Tech Match Notes (Matches 15-16)
Rice Owls (10-4, 0-0 C-USA) at UTEP Miners (3-10, 0-0 C-USA)
Friday, Sept. 22, 7 p.m. (CT)
El Paso, Texas • Memorial Gym
Video: N/A
Live Stats: Sidearm
Twitter Updates: @RiceVolleyball
Series Record: Rice leads UTEP, 35-9
Rice Owls at Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters (4-9, 0-0 C-USA)
Sunday, Sept. 24, 1 p.m.
Ruston, La. • Thomas Assembly Center
CUSAtv ($): Video Streaming
Live Stats:
Twitter Updates: @RiceVolleyball
Series Record: Rice leads LA Tech, 13-3
News & Notes
*The Owls carry a five-match win streak into the Conference USA season this weekend when they travel to UTEP (Friday, Sept. 22) and Louisiana Tech (Sunday, Sept. 24). Rice will be looking to win their sixth straight for the first time since last season when the Owls won eight consecutive matches from Sept. 16-Oct. 9.
*After going 4-0 last week, Rice is ranked 24th in the latest VolleyballMag.com Top 25 Mid-Major Poll. WKU (5th), North Texas (21st) and Southern Miss (RV) are also recognized in the poll.
*Rice outside hitter Nicole Lennon was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Week, the league office announced on Monday (9/18). The Katy, Texas native was named the Rice Adidas Invitational II MVP by totaling 20 or more kills in all four matches and three double-doubles. The C-USA leader in total kills (234), Lennon accumulated 84 kills on 223 swings in 18 sets last weekend. She capped off the week with a season-high 23 kills and 14 digs in a dramatic five-set victory over Stephen F. Austin. Lennon also won the C-USA Freshman of the Week back on Aug. 28 and is the first Owl to ever win the award twice in a season.
*Head coach Genny Volpe recorded her 250th career win in the Owls 3-1 victory over Georgetown on Sept. 16. The Owls all-time leader in totals wins (251) and winning percentage (.601) is halfway home her seventh, 20-win season at Rice.
*The Owls are 35-9 all-time against the Miners and 13-3 against the Lady Techsters.
*Rice ranks eighth in the nation in assists (709), ninth in digs (959) and 10th in kills (744).
-RiceOwls.com-
