Rice University
UTSA
Preview: Owls Set for Challenging Weekend of C-USA Action
9/27/2018 9:51:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Host UTSA on Friday, travel to WKU Sunday
HOUSTON - The Rice Owls volleyball team will carry their four-match winning streak into this weekend with a pair of challenging matches on the docket. On Friday, Rice will host UTSA at 6 p.m. in the finale of five consecutive home matches, before going on the road for the first time in C-USA play to take on the defending C-USA champion WKU Lady Toppers on Sunday, Sept. 30 at noon.
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.
Rice Owls (10-4, 1-0 C-USA) vs. UTSA Roadrunners (10-4, 2-0 C-USA)
Friday, Sept. 28, 6 p.m. (CT)
Tudor Fieldhouse
CUSAtv ($): Video Streaming
Live Stats: Sidearm
Twitter Updates: @RiceVolleyball
Series Record: Rice leads UTSA, 17-7
PROMOTIONS & TICKETS
FRI, 6 PM (UTSA) - Mini Golf Day - National Pediatric Cancer Awareness Day. It's also, National Good Neighbor Day - invite your neighbor to the game!
General admission tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for youth (ages 3-17). Fans can buy online here or by contacting the Rice Athletics Ticket Office at (713) 348-OWLS (6957). The box office at Tudor Fieldhouse will begin operating one hour prior to first serve.
Rice Owls at WKU Lady Toppers (11-5, 2-0 C-USA)
Sunday, Sept. 30, 12 p.m. (CT)
Bowling Green, Ky.
CUSAtv ($): Video Streaming
Live Stats: Sidearm
Twitter Updates: @RiceVolleyball
Series Record: WKU leads Rice, 5-2
TEAM NOTES
- Rice, who is the highest ranked Conference USA team (45th) in the latest Pablo Rankings, leads all of C-USA in digs per set (17.74) and opponents hitting percentage (.154).
- The Owls also rank second in C-USA in assists per set (13.3), hitting percentage (.248), kills per set (14.2) and team attacks per set (37.1).
- Sophomore outside hitter Nicole Lennon ranks sixth in the league in total kills (201), points (233) and kills per set (3.79).
- Junior middle blocker Grace Morgan ranks 18th in the nation (3rd in C-USA) in hitting percentage (.398).
- Junior libero Lee Ann Cunningham is 49th in the nation in total digs (263).
- Last week freshman middle blocker Anota Adekunle recorded the ninth-highest hitting percentage (10-14 attempts) in the nation this season with an .846 performance in a win over UTEP. It was the highest hitting percentage ever by a Rice freshman.
THE OPPOSITION
UTSA (2018 Record: 10-4, 2-0)
The Roadrunners have won three straight matches, including a pair of C-USA victories last weekend over Southern Miss and North Texas. Senior DS Shelby Williams leads all of C-USA in service aces (21) and is sixth in the league in total digs. Junior outside hitter Brianna McCulloch leads the team in total kills (169) and kills per set (3.31).
WKU Lady Toppers (2018 Record: 11-5, 2-0)
The Lady Toppers have won eight of their last nine matches and four straight overall. WKU ranks third in C-USA in team kills and team assists. Senior middle hitter Rachel Anderson leads the Lady Toppers with 202 kills while hitting a team-best .348.
