Rice University
UTSA
Preview: Critical Showdown at UTSA Awaits Owls
10/25/2018 2:05:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Battle of C-USA's best set for Friday
HOUSTON - The Rice Owls volleyball team will try to earn a piece of history on Friday evening in San Antonio when they face second place UTSA (16-5, 8-1) at 7 p.m. Rice (17-4, 8-0) will not only be looking to capture the season-series from UTSA, but also match the 1995 Owls' team for the longest win streak (12) in program history. Rice has won 11 consecutive matches overall dating back to their victory over Ole Miss on Sept. 14 and will enter Friday having not lost a match in 42 days.
After UTSA, the Owls will travel to UTEP to face a Miners team that Rice swept earlier this season back on Sept. 21 in the conference opener at Tudor Fieldhouse. That match is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. (CT).
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 (17-4, 8-0 C-USA) at UTSA Roadrunners (16-5, 8-1 C-USA)
Friday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m. (CT)
San Antonio, Texas
CUSAtv ($): Video Streaming
Live Stats: Sidearm
Twitter Updates: @RiceVolleyball
Series Record: Rice leads UTSA, 18-7
THE OPPOSITION
UTSA (2018 Record: 16-5, 8-1, W6)
The Roadrunners sit just a half game back of the Owls in the C-USA standings and will enter play on Friday winners of six straight. Rice defeated the Roadrunners in four sets (21-25, 25-15, 25-21, 25-18) back on Sept. 28 at Tudor Fieldhouse. UTSA is the only team in C-USA play better than the Owls in kills per set allowed (11.79) and are third in opponent's hitting percentage (.191). In addition, they allow the fewest service aces per set (0.79). UTSA's middle hitters Kara Teal (.367) and Hannah Froeschl (.366) rank fourth and fifth, respectively, in the league in hitting percentage while senior DS Shelby Williams in second in C-USA in digs per set (5.10).
Rice Owls at UTEP Miners (4-17, 1-8 C-USA)
Sunday, Oct. 28, 1 p.m. (CT)
El Paso, Texas
CUSAtv ($): Video Streaming
Live Stats: Sidearm
Twitter Updates: @RiceVolleyball
Series Record: Rice leads UTEP, 37-10
THE OPPOSITION
UTEP (2018 Record: 4-17, 0-6, L1)
The Miners have lost 9 of their last 10 matches overall, including a 3-0 sweep at Middle Tennessee last Sunday. Rice swept (25-14, 25-18, 25-14) the Miners back on Sept. 21 at Tudor Fieldhouse in a match where the Owls hit .461 as a team. Sophomore DS Briana Bustillos ranks sixth in the league in digs per set (4.22).
TEAM NOTES
- Rice can tie the school record for most consecutive wins (12) in a season in program history, established by the 1995 Owls.
- With a victory the Owls would secure a berth in the C-USA Championship tournament, which will take place Nov. 16-18 in Huntington, W.V. (hosted by Marshall).
- The Owls jumped up to No. 18 (previously No. 21) in the latest VolleyballMag.com's Mid-Major Top 25 Poll. Rice is also the highest ranked C-USA team in the Pablo Rankings, coming in at No. 44.
- In the latest NCAA RPI rankings the Owls are ranked 34th, the highest in C-USA.
- The Owls' 17-4 record is the second-best mark in program history through 21 games (18-3 in 2004).
- Rice leads all of C-USA in digs per set (18.23-9th nationally), opponents hitting percentage (.157-20th nationally), and team attacks per set (37.75-29th nationally). During league only play, Rice leads the conference in hitting percentage. (.295), opponents hitting percentage (.154), assists (14.50 per set), opponents assists (10.97 per set), kills (15.40 per set), opponents blocks (1.57 per set), and digs (18.97 per set).
- The Owls are three wins away from their fifth consecutive 20-win season and the eighth of Rice head coach Genny Volpe's career.
- Freshman middle blocker Anota Adekunle leads all of C-USA in hitting percentage (.444) during league action while junior Grace Morgan is third (.379).
- Junior libero Lee Ann Cunningham (1,467 career digs) needs just 33 more digs for 1,500 for her career.
- Sophomore outside hitter Nicole Lennon has registered 10 or more kills in 15 consecutive matches and has recorded a double-double in 7 of her last 8 matches overall.
