Rice University
Florida Atlantic
Preview: Volleyball Closes Out Regular Season in Florida
11/7/2018 12:54:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Owls to face FAU on Thursday, followed by FIU Saturday
HOUSTON - The C-USA regular season champion Rice Owls volleyball team will look to complete a perfect C-USA season this weekend when they travel to the state of Florida for a pair of league showdowns, beginning at third place Florida Atlantic on Thursday at 6 p.m. (CT). Rice (21-4, 12-0) will then head to Miami, Fla. on Saturday for the regular season finale at FIU with first serve set for 12 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 (21-4, 12-0 C-USA) at Florida Atlantic Owls (19-6, 9-3 C-USA)
Thursday, Nov. 6, 6 p.m. (CT)
Boca Raton, Fla. (FAU Arena)
CUSAtv ($): Video Streaming
Live Stats: Sidearm
Twitter Updates: @RiceVolleyball
Series Record: Rice leads FAU, 6-1
THE OPPOSITION
Florida Atlantic (2018 Record: 19-6, 9-3, L1)
The Owls are currently in a three-way tie for third place in the C-USA standings entering play this weekend. FAU just had their four-match winning streak snapped at WKU last weekend and will put their 12-0 home record on the line on Thursday. The Owls lead the league during league play in hitting percentage (.270), assists per set (14.02) and kills per set (15.00). Rightside hitter Abbi Reid leads C-USA in hitting percentage (.404) while outside hitter Jordan Yauch ranks fourth (.374) in the same category. Junior SIgourney Kame ranks fifth in the league in kills per set (4.05) while senior setter Ivone Martinez leads C-USA in assists per set (12.55).
Rice Owls at FIU (15-11, 7-5 C-USA)
Saturday, Nov. 8, 12 p.m. (CT)
Miami, Fla. (Ocean Bank Convocation Center)
CUSAtv ($): Video Streaming
Live Stats: Sidearm
Twitter Updates: @RiceVolleyball
Series Record: Rice leads FIU, 5-0
THE OPPOSITION
FIU (2018 Record: 15-11, 7-5, W1)
The Panthers are in sixth place in the C-USA standing entering the final weekend of league play and host Middle Tennessee before the Owls. FIU snapped a four-match losing streak with a sweep at Marshall last weekend. Junior middle blocker Chelsea Hudson ranks fourth in C-USA in blocks (1.20) while junior libero Lina Bernier is fifth in digs per set (4.53).
TEAM NOTES
- Rice is in the midst of a school record 15-match winning streak, tied for the sixth-longest currently in the nation. The Owls broke the previous program record of 12 straight victories set during the 1995 campaign.
- The Owls have clinched the C-USA regular season title, their first ever, and secured the top spot in the C-USA Championship tournament, which will take place Nov. 16-18 in Huntington, W.V. (hosted by Marshall).
- There have been just four teams to go undefeated in C-USA play since 1995; Louisville (12-0, 1995), Louisville (13-0, 2004), Tulsa (20-0, 2010), and WKU (14-0, 2016). Rice will look to make it a fifth team this weekend.
- In the latest NCAA RPI rankings the Owls are ranked 31st, the highest in C-USA. The Owls are also receiving 18 votes in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll.
- Rice climbed up to No. 15 (previously No. 16) 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. 43.
- The Owls 21-4 record is the second-best mark in program history through 25 games (22-3 in 2004). The Owls set a program record with 25 wins in 2004.
- Rice leads all of C-USA in digs per set (18.45-5th nationally), opponents hitting percentage (.153-10th nationally), and team attacks per set (37.93-32nd nationally). During league only play, opponents hitting percentage (.147), opponents assists (10.84 per set), opponents service aces (0.87 per set), and digs (19.20 per set).
- The Owls have recorded their fifth consecutive 20-win season and the eighth of Rice head coach Genny Volpe's career. Volpe, who is the winningest coach in program history, has a 283-175 record (.617) coaching at Rice.
- Junior libero Lee Ann Cunningham was named the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, her fourth C-USA weekly honor of the season and third in the last four weeks.
- Sophomore outside hitter Nicole Lennon has registered 10 or more kills in 19 consecutive matches and has recorded a double-double in 11 of her last 12 matches overall.
