Friday, October 11
Houston, TX
6:00 pm CT
Rice University
15-1, 4-0
3
vs
0
Southern Miss
1-17, 0-4
1
2
3
F
Southern Miss
13
14
21
0
Rice
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Maria Lysaker - Rice Athletics
Owls Cruise to Sixth Straight Win, Sweep Southern Miss
10/11/2019 8:40:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HOUSTON – The No. 21 Rice Owls volleyball team won their sixth consecutive match overall and fifth straight via a sweep by taking down Southern Miss in straight sets (25-13,25-14, 25-21) Friday evening at Tudor Fieldhouse.
Rice (15-1, 4-0) remained unbeaten at home (8-0) this season and increased their winning streak on their home floor to 18 consecutive matches dating back to last season. The sweep was the Owls' 11th of the season, one shy of 2018's total of 12 straight set victories.
Three different Owls tallied 10 or more kills, led by 13 from sophomore middle blocker Anota Adekunle. The Humble, Texas native hit .550 for the match and also posted a match-high five blocks for 16.0 points. Freshman Ellie Bichelmeyer (10 kills-.833) and senior Tori Woogk (10 kills-.412) also totaled double-digit kills.
Seniors Tabitha Brown (16 digs) and Lee Ann Cunningham (15 digs) led the way defensively for the Owls while setters Carly Graham (20 assists) and Adria Martinez (15 assists) combined for 11.6 assists per set.
Rice outhit Southern Miss (1-17, 0-4) .306-.079 and totaled more assists (43-29), digs (56-46), and team blocks (8.0-2.0).
RICE HEAD COACH GENNY VOLPE
Postgame Reaction…
"I'm really proud of the team, we were pretty sharp. We had some great production, especially from Tori (Woogk) and Ellie (Bichelmeyer). They were extremely efficient and Anota had a great game in the middle as well. Probably what I'm most proud of was the setters working hard to get everyone involved in the offense. We had a lot of balance and if we can continue to do that, it just makes it tougher to get beat. I'm pleased with our approach to the match. We probably could have closed a bit stronger, and the team knows that, but overall definitely proud of how we executed."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
Rice used a 7-1 run to gain separation from the Golden Eagles on their way to a 25-13 victory. Bichelmeyer (6 kills-.857) and Adekunle (5 kills-.571) were nearly unstoppable while Kassidy Muse added three kills on five attacks.
Set 2
In the second frame, Woogk came off the bench to lead the Owls with five kills on eight attacks while Bichelmeyer added four more. The Owls outhit the Golden Eagles .316 to .029 in the game and posted 16 assists on 17 kills. Rice kept possession nearly thru out with a 73% sideout rate on their way to a 25-14 win.
Set 3
The Owls held off a late USM rally to earn a match-clinching 25-21 victory in set three. Woogk and Adekunle each recorded five kills apiece.
Up Next
The Owls return to action on Sunday when they host Middle Tennessee in the annual Dig Pink match. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Tudor Fieldhouse.
-RiceOwls.com-
Rice (15-1, 4-0) remained unbeaten at home (8-0) this season and increased their winning streak on their home floor to 18 consecutive matches dating back to last season. The sweep was the Owls' 11th of the season, one shy of 2018's total of 12 straight set victories.
Three different Owls tallied 10 or more kills, led by 13 from sophomore middle blocker Anota Adekunle. The Humble, Texas native hit .550 for the match and also posted a match-high five blocks for 16.0 points. Freshman Ellie Bichelmeyer (10 kills-.833) and senior Tori Woogk (10 kills-.412) also totaled double-digit kills.
Seniors Tabitha Brown (16 digs) and Lee Ann Cunningham (15 digs) led the way defensively for the Owls while setters Carly Graham (20 assists) and Adria Martinez (15 assists) combined for 11.6 assists per set.
Rice outhit Southern Miss (1-17, 0-4) .306-.079 and totaled more assists (43-29), digs (56-46), and team blocks (8.0-2.0).
Postgame Reaction…
"I'm really proud of the team, we were pretty sharp. We had some great production, especially from Tori (Woogk) and Ellie (Bichelmeyer). They were extremely efficient and Anota had a great game in the middle as well. Probably what I'm most proud of was the setters working hard to get everyone involved in the offense. We had a lot of balance and if we can continue to do that, it just makes it tougher to get beat. I'm pleased with our approach to the match. We probably could have closed a bit stronger, and the team knows that, but overall definitely proud of how we executed."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
Rice used a 7-1 run to gain separation from the Golden Eagles on their way to a 25-13 victory. Bichelmeyer (6 kills-.857) and Adekunle (5 kills-.571) were nearly unstoppable while Kassidy Muse added three kills on five attacks.
Set 2
In the second frame, Woogk came off the bench to lead the Owls with five kills on eight attacks while Bichelmeyer added four more. The Owls outhit the Golden Eagles .316 to .029 in the game and posted 16 assists on 17 kills. Rice kept possession nearly thru out with a 73% sideout rate on their way to a 25-14 win.
Set 3
The Owls held off a late USM rally to earn a match-clinching 25-21 victory in set three. Woogk and Adekunle each recorded five kills apiece.
The Owls return to action on Sunday when they host Middle Tennessee in the annual Dig Pink match. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Tudor Fieldhouse.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
USM
RICE
Kills
29
47
Errors
20
13
Attempts
114
111
Hitting %
.079
.306
Points
33.0
58.0
Assists
29
43
Aces
2
3
Blocks
2.0
8.0
Game Leaders
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballOPP
/ Women's VolleyballOH/OPP
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