Sunday, October 21
Houston, TX
1:00 pm CT
Rice University
17-4, 8-0
3
vs
0
Louisiana Tech
6-18, 1-8
1
2
3
F
LA Tech
12
16
21
0
Rice
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Maria Lysaker - Rice Athletics
Volleyball Extends Win Streak to 11 Straight
10/21/2018 3:58:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Second-longest win streak in program history
HOUSTON – Rice volleyball recorded their eighth sweep of the season on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters in straight sets (25-12, 25-16, 25-21) at Tudor Fieldhouse for the team's 11th straight victory overall.
The Owls (17-4, 8-0) not only remained atop the Conference USA standings with the victory, the team also tied for the second-longest win streak in program history, matching the 11 straight victories set by the 1987 and 2004 teams. Rice will have an opportunity to tie the longest win streak (12-1995) in school history next Friday when they travel to UTSA on Friday, Oct. 26 (7 p.m.).
Rice improved to 11-1 at home this season by holding Tech (6-18, 1-8) to a .068 hitting percentage and never trailed in the match.
Junior middle blocker Grace Morgan led all players with 14 kills (.423) while sophomore outside hitter Nicole Lennon picked up her team-leading 12th double-double of the season with 11 kills (.579) and 15 digs. Freshman middle blocker Anota Adekunle was the third Owl with double-figure kills, tallying 10 strikes on 18 attacks (.444).
RICE HEAD COACH GENNY VOLPE
"I thought offensively Grace and Anota really set the tone early, which was key. Nicole had a great match as well and was very efficient. Defensively our block was solid and pretty clean today, which was good to see. Overall I'd like to see us continue to do the little things at a more consistent level."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
Rice never allowed Tech to get into the opening frame, jumping out to an insurmountable 14-3 lead en route to a 25-12 victory. Lennon recorded six kills (.750) in the set while Morgan posted four kills (.429) herself as part of a .333 team hitting percentage for the Owls. Defensively Rice held Tech to a -.030 hitting clip and posted 4.0 team blocks.
Set 2
Rice won set two, 25-16, behind another strong defensive performance. The Owls collected 22 team digs, eight of which came from junior libero Lee Ann Cunningham. Morgan contributed five more kills in the set while Adekunle chipped in an additional four kills.
Set 3
The Owls were tested in the final set but closed on a 4-1 run to clinch a 25-21 match-sealing victory. Tech managed to close to within 21-20 but Morgan and Lennon had two kills apiece to put the match away.
MATCH NOTES
• The Owls 11-match win streak is the team's longest since 2004 and tied for the second-longest win streak in school history. The most consecutive wins by the Owls is 12 straight, set in 1995.
•Rice is 8-0 in C-USA play for the first time in school history. The last time the Owls started at least 5-0 in conference play they were members of the WAC in 2004 (started 7-0, finished 12-1).
• Rice improved to 11-1 at home this season.
• The sweep was the Owls eighth straight-set victory of the year.
• Rice remains alone in first place in the C-USA standings with a half game lead on UTSA (7-1), who the Owls defeated 3-1 on Sept. 28.
UP NEXT
The Owls will look to extend their winning streak to 12 straight matches next Friday, Oct. 26 when they travel to UTSA at 7 p.m. Rice will then travel to UTEP on Sunday, Oct. 28 with first serve set for 1 p.m. (CT). Be sure to visit www.RiceOwls.com and @RiceVolleyball on Twitter for more information.
-RiceOwls.com-
The Owls (17-4, 8-0) not only remained atop the Conference USA standings with the victory, the team also tied for the second-longest win streak in program history, matching the 11 straight victories set by the 1987 and 2004 teams. Rice will have an opportunity to tie the longest win streak (12-1995) in school history next Friday when they travel to UTSA on Friday, Oct. 26 (7 p.m.).
Rice improved to 11-1 at home this season by holding Tech (6-18, 1-8) to a .068 hitting percentage and never trailed in the match.
Junior middle blocker Grace Morgan led all players with 14 kills (.423) while sophomore outside hitter Nicole Lennon picked up her team-leading 12th double-double of the season with 11 kills (.579) and 15 digs. Freshman middle blocker Anota Adekunle was the third Owl with double-figure kills, tallying 10 strikes on 18 attacks (.444).
"I thought offensively Grace and Anota really set the tone early, which was key. Nicole had a great match as well and was very efficient. Defensively our block was solid and pretty clean today, which was good to see. Overall I'd like to see us continue to do the little things at a more consistent level."
Set 1
Rice never allowed Tech to get into the opening frame, jumping out to an insurmountable 14-3 lead en route to a 25-12 victory. Lennon recorded six kills (.750) in the set while Morgan posted four kills (.429) herself as part of a .333 team hitting percentage for the Owls. Defensively Rice held Tech to a -.030 hitting clip and posted 4.0 team blocks.
Set 2
Rice won set two, 25-16, behind another strong defensive performance. The Owls collected 22 team digs, eight of which came from junior libero Lee Ann Cunningham. Morgan contributed five more kills in the set while Adekunle chipped in an additional four kills.
Set 3
The Owls were tested in the final set but closed on a 4-1 run to clinch a 25-21 match-sealing victory. Tech managed to close to within 21-20 but Morgan and Lennon had two kills apiece to put the match away.
• The Owls 11-match win streak is the team's longest since 2004 and tied for the second-longest win streak in school history. The most consecutive wins by the Owls is 12 straight, set in 1995.
•Rice is 8-0 in C-USA play for the first time in school history. The last time the Owls started at least 5-0 in conference play they were members of the WAC in 2004 (started 7-0, finished 12-1).
• Rice improved to 11-1 at home this season.
• The sweep was the Owls eighth straight-set victory of the year.
• Rice remains alone in first place in the C-USA standings with a half game lead on UTSA (7-1), who the Owls defeated 3-1 on Sept. 28.
The Owls will look to extend their winning streak to 12 straight matches next Friday, Oct. 26 when they travel to UTSA at 7 p.m. Rice will then travel to UTEP on Sunday, Oct. 28 with first serve set for 1 p.m. (CT). Be sure to visit www.RiceOwls.com and @RiceVolleyball on Twitter for more information.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
TECH
RICE
Kills
24
49
Errors
17
17
Attempts
103
120
Hitting %
.068
.267
Points
32.0
60.0
Assists
22
47
Aces
3
3
Blocks
5.0
8.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
14
Aces
2
Blocks
5
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
L
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
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