Rice University
Marshall
Preview: Volleyball Returns Home for Pair of Matches
10/11/2018 9:48:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Hosts Marshall on Friday, followed by North Texas on Sunday
HOUSTON - The Rice Owls volleyball team will look to continue their winning ways this weekend with a pair of home matches at Tudor Fieldhouse, starting with Marshall on Friday at 6 p.m. Rice will then host North Texas on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the annual Dig Pink Match.
Stay updated with all things Rice volleyball this weekend by following the Owls on Twitter and Instagram at @RiceVolleyball as well as online at www.RiceOwls.com.
Rice Owls (14-4, 5-0 C-USA) vs. Marshall Thundering Herd (9-11, 2-4 C-USA)
Friday, Oct. 12, 6 p.m. (CT)
Houston, Texas (Tudor Fieldhouse)
Tickets: Buy Online
CUSAtv ($): Video Streaming
Live Stats: Sidearm
Twitter Updates: @RiceVolleyball
Series Record: Rice leads Marshall, 12-6
Promotions
*Show your Oct. 13 football ticket and gain FREE ADMISSION to both Friday, Oct. 12 and Oct. 14 volleyball games.
*Kids Club Game (Kids Club members get in free)
THE OPPOSITION
Marshall (2018 Record: 9-11, 2-4)
The Herd have dropped four of their last six matches overall but are coming off a 3-2 victory over UTEP in their last outing. Sophomore outside hitter Ciara Debell leads C-USA in attacks per set (12.29). She also ranks second in kills per set (4.31), points per set (4.89) and total attacks (860). As a team the Herd rank second in C-USA in digs per set (15.99) and first in attacks per set (37.08).
Rice Owls vs. North Texas Mean Green (7-14, 3-2 C-USA)
Sunday, Oct. 14, 1 p.m. (CT)
Houston, Texas (Tudor Fieldhouse)
Tickets: Buy Online
CUSAtv ($): Video Streaming
Live Stats: Sidearm
Twitter Updates: @RiceVolleyball
Series Record: Rice leads North Texas, 10-5
Promotions
*Show your Oct. 13 football ticket and gain FREE ADMISSION to both Friday, Oct. 12 and Oct. 14 volleyball games.
*Dig Pink Day - Pink shirts available for purchase with proceeds going to Dig Pink. Pink shirt student giveaway for first 100 students.
THE OPPOSITION
North Texas (2018 Record: 7-14, 3-2)
The Mean Green have won two of their last three C-USA matches, including a 3-2 victory over Charlotte last Sunday. Sophomore outside hitter Valerie Valerian leads the team in total kills (272-4th in C-USA)) and kills per set (3.53-8th).
TEAM NOTES
- The Owls cracked VolleyballMag.com's Mid-Major Top 25 Poll list this week, coming in at No. 23
- In the latest NCAA RPI rankings the Owls are ranked 27th, the highest in C-USA
- Rice is also the highest ranked (30th) C-USA team in the recent Pablo Rankings
- The Owls' eight-match win streak is currently tied for the 5th longest in school history and will be attempting to reach their longest win streak (9) in nine years on Friday.
- Longest Rice Win Streaks
- 12 - 1995 (Sept. 5-Sept. 23)
- 11 - 2004 (Sept. 18-Oct. 15)
- 11 - 1987 (Sept. 1-Sept. 19)
- 10 - 1989 (Sept. 9-Oct. 4)
- 10 - 1984 (Sept. 2-Sept. 15)
- 9 - 2009 (Oct. 30-Nov. 27)
- 9 - 2001 (Oct. 18-Nov. 10)
- 9 - 1998 (Sept. 2-Sept. 18)
- 8 - 2018 (Sept. 14-Present)
- 8 - 2017 (Sept. 24-Oct. 22)
- 8 - 2017 (Sept. 16-Oct. 9)
- Longest Rice Win Streaks
- Rice middle blocker Anota Adekunle was selected the Conference USA Freshman of the Week following a breakout weekend performance, the league office announced on Monday (10/8). Adekunle, from Humble, Texas (Summer Creek HS), helped the Owls extend their season-high win streak to eight straight by totaling 17 kills (.484), 10.0 blocks, and 25.0 points over eight sets. The freshman established season-highs in kills (12), blocks (7.0) and points (18.0) in Rice's five-set victory at Southern Miss on Sunday.
- Rice ranks top-20 in the nation in the following categories: assists per set (13th-13.43), digs per set (17th-17.62), kills per set (14th-14.32) and opponents hitting percentage (19th-.156).
- Since entering C-USA play the Owls lead the league in hitting percentage (.314) and opponents hitting percentage (.150). Individually, Adekunle is the C-USA leader in hitting percentage (.514).
