Saturday, September 15
Houston, TX
11:00 am CT
Rice University
8-4
3
vs
1
Austin Peay
10-2
1
2
3
4
F
Austin Peay
17
25
14
22
1
Rice
25
21
25
25
3
Photo by: Maria Lysaker - Rice Athletics
Lennon, Morgan Power Owls Past Austin Peay
9/15/2018 4:15:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Rice defeats Governors in four sets
HOUSTON – Rice sophomore outside hitter Nicole Lennon registered a career-high 25 kills while junior middle blocker Grace Morgan added an additional 16 kills to help lead the Owls (8-4) past Austin Peay (10-2) in four sets (25-17, 21-25, 25-14, 25-22) on day two of the Rice Adidas Invitational II on Saturday.
One day after setting a season-high hitting percentage, the Owls topped that performance (.291) with a .338 performance against Austin Peay. Morgan came close to setting a career-best hitting percentage with a match-high .600 clip (16 kills/25 attacks) while Lennon did hit a career-best .435 (25 kills/46 attacks).
The Owls improved to 5-1 at Tudor Fieldhouse this season with another opportunity to add to the win column tonight at 7 p.m. when they host McNeese St.
RICE HEAD COACH GENNY VOLPE
"I was pleased with our mental approach to the morning match. Nicole and Grace really stepped up offensively and Lee Ann was creating transition opportunities. Her defense was key in the match."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
The Owls were clicking on all cylinders on offense to start the day, hitting .429 as a team in a 25-17 set one victory. Lennon set the tone for the day with seven kills on 13 attacks (.462) while Morgan had five kills on six attacks (.833). Martinez dished out nine assists in a set in which the Owls never trailed.
Set 2
Set two was nip and tuck with 12 ties and seven lead changes before Austin Peay used a late 6-2 run to win 25-21. The Governors hit .438 as a team in the win compared to just a .225 clip by the Owls. Lennon added seven more kills on 11 attacks in the frame but the Owls committed nine errors as a team.
Set 3
Rice won the all-important third set with a stingy defensive effort, limiting Austin Peay to a .073 hitting percentage. Junior libero Lee Ann Cunningham (6 digs), Martinez (6 digs), and Lennon (5 digs) all recorded five digs or more and Lennon led the way offensively with another six digs in a 25-14 Rice victory.
Set 4
The Owls put the match away with a 25-22 set four triumph, ending the set on a 3-0 run. Rice used a combo block from Morgan/Kassidy Muse, followed by a Governors' error and a Lennon kill to seal the victory.
MATCH NOTES
• Lennon recorded 20 or more kills (25) in a match for the ninth time in her career and second time this season. Her 25 kills were the most by an Owl since Chelsey Harris (25) on Nov. 20, 2016 (five sets) and the most by an Owl in four sets since Rebeca Pazo (26) on Sept. 10, 2004.
• Morgan hit .400 or better (.600) for the eighth time this season. The junior middle blocker currently ranks third in hitting percentage (.386) in Conference USA.
• Junior setter Adria Martinez set a season-high with 30 assists while freshman setter Carly Graham (24 assists) amassed 20 or more assists in a match for the eighth time this season.
• Junior libero Lee Ann Cunningham led all players with 16 digs.
• Senior middle blocker McKay Kyle made her first start of the season, recording five kills on nine attacks (.333).
UP NEXT
The Owls look to win the Rice Adidas Invitational II tournament title this evening when they host McNeese St. (1-12) at 7 p.m. For ticket information and links, be sure to visit www.RiceOwls.com and @RiceVolleyball on Twitter.
-RiceOwls.com-
One day after setting a season-high hitting percentage, the Owls topped that performance (.291) with a .338 performance against Austin Peay. Morgan came close to setting a career-best hitting percentage with a match-high .600 clip (16 kills/25 attacks) while Lennon did hit a career-best .435 (25 kills/46 attacks).
The Owls improved to 5-1 at Tudor Fieldhouse this season with another opportunity to add to the win column tonight at 7 p.m. when they host McNeese St.
"I was pleased with our mental approach to the morning match. Nicole and Grace really stepped up offensively and Lee Ann was creating transition opportunities. Her defense was key in the match."
Set 1
The Owls were clicking on all cylinders on offense to start the day, hitting .429 as a team in a 25-17 set one victory. Lennon set the tone for the day with seven kills on 13 attacks (.462) while Morgan had five kills on six attacks (.833). Martinez dished out nine assists in a set in which the Owls never trailed.
Set 2
Set two was nip and tuck with 12 ties and seven lead changes before Austin Peay used a late 6-2 run to win 25-21. The Governors hit .438 as a team in the win compared to just a .225 clip by the Owls. Lennon added seven more kills on 11 attacks in the frame but the Owls committed nine errors as a team.
Set 3
Rice won the all-important third set with a stingy defensive effort, limiting Austin Peay to a .073 hitting percentage. Junior libero Lee Ann Cunningham (6 digs), Martinez (6 digs), and Lennon (5 digs) all recorded five digs or more and Lennon led the way offensively with another six digs in a 25-14 Rice victory.
Set 4
The Owls put the match away with a 25-22 set four triumph, ending the set on a 3-0 run. Rice used a combo block from Morgan/Kassidy Muse, followed by a Governors' error and a Lennon kill to seal the victory.
• Lennon recorded 20 or more kills (25) in a match for the ninth time in her career and second time this season. Her 25 kills were the most by an Owl since Chelsey Harris (25) on Nov. 20, 2016 (five sets) and the most by an Owl in four sets since Rebeca Pazo (26) on Sept. 10, 2004.
• Morgan hit .400 or better (.600) for the eighth time this season. The junior middle blocker currently ranks third in hitting percentage (.386) in Conference USA.
• Junior setter Adria Martinez set a season-high with 30 assists while freshman setter Carly Graham (24 assists) amassed 20 or more assists in a match for the eighth time this season.
• Junior libero Lee Ann Cunningham led all players with 16 digs.
• Senior middle blocker McKay Kyle made her first start of the season, recording five kills on nine attacks (.333).
The Owls look to win the Rice Adidas Invitational II tournament title this evening when they host McNeese St. (1-12) at 7 p.m. For ticket information and links, be sure to visit www.RiceOwls.com and @RiceVolleyball on Twitter.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
APSU
RICE
Kills
48
65
Errors
19
18
Attempts
142
139
Hitting %
.204
.338
Points
56.0
77.0
Assists
46
60
Aces
3
7
Blocks
5.0
5.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
25
Aces
2
Blocks
1
Kills
16
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
L
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's Volleyball
OPP
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