Preview: Owls Host UTEP Friday in C-USA Opener

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HOUSTON - The Rice Owls volleyball team continues their season-long five match homestand at Tudor Fieldhouse this Friday (6 p.m.) when they host the UTEP Miners in the Conference USA opener. Rice (9-4) is coming off a sweep (3-0) at the Rice Adidas Invitational II and will be looking to improve upon their 6-1 home record.

Friday's match will be streamed on CUSAtv while live stats will be available through RiceOwls.com. Stay updated with all things Rice volleyball by following the Owls on Twitter and Instagram at @RiceVolleyball as well as online at www.RiceOwls.com.

PROMOTIONS & TICKETS
FRI, 6 PM (UTEP) - Mini Golf Day - Three mini golf holes will be in the lobby for fans with members of the Rice men's golf team in attendance. There will be a putting contest between Rice golf (who will be recognized) vs. fans at intermission.

General admission tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for youth (ages 3-17). Fans can buy online here or by contacting the Rice Athletics Ticket Office at (713) 348-OWLS (6957). The box office at Tudor Fieldhouse will begin operating one hour prior to first serve.

TEAM NOTES

Rice, who is the highest ranked Conference USA team (56th) in the latest Pablo Rankings, leads all of C-USA in digs per set (17.78), opponents hitting percentage (.158) and team attacks per set (37.58).
Sophomore outside hitter Nicole Lennon was named the C-USA Co-Offensive Player of the Week this past Monday after earning her third Tournament MVP honor of the season.
Lennon ranks fourth in the league in total kills (189), points (217.5) and points per set (4.35) and is fifth in total attacks (486) and kills per set (3.78).
Junior middle blocker Grace Morgan, who was also named to the Rice Adidas Invitational II All-Tournament Team, ranks second in C-USA in blocks per set (1.17) and is third in hitting percentage (.393).
Junior libero Lee Ann Cunningham is 25th in the nation in total digs (247).
As a team the Owls rank top-20 in the nation in assists per set (13.2-20th), digs per set (17.78-13th), kills per set (14.18-19th), team assists (664-13th), team digs (889-12th) and team kills (709-15th).

THE OPPOSITION
UTEP (2018 Record: 3-9, Conference USA | Series Record: Rice leads, 36-10)
The Miners enter play on Friday having lost seven of their last eight matches overall. UTEP ranks fourth in C-USA in attacks per set (36.4) and seventh in digs per set (14.7). Junior outside hitter Macey Austin leads the Miners in attacks per set (10.1), kills per set (4.0), points (194.5), points per set (4.3), total attacks (456), and total kills (181). The Miners defeated the Owls in five set last year in the C-USA opener in El Paso.

UP NEXT
The Owls conclude their five-match homestand next Friday, Sept. 28 when they host UTSA at 6 p.m. Rice will then play their following three matches on the road, including a matchup against the reigning C-USA champion WKU Lady Toppers on Sunday, Sept. 30 in Bowling Green, Ky.

-RiceOwls.com-

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