Friday, October 4
Houston, TX
6:00 pm CT
Rice University
14-1, 3-0
3
vs
0
UTSA
9-7, 2-1
1
2
3
F
UTSA
19
13
21
0
Rice
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Maria Lysaker - Rice Athletics
Volpe Records Win No. 300
10/4/2019 8:58:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Owls sweep UTSA for fifth straight win
HOUSTON – The No. 21 Rice Owls volleyball team cruised to their fifth straight win and fourth via a sweep with a straight sets victory (25-19, 25-13, 25-21) over UTSA Friday evening at Tudor Fieldhouse, giving head coach Genny Volpe her 300th career win.
Rice (14-1, 3-0) is now out to their best 15-match start in program history following the team's 17th consecutive home win dating back to last season.
The Owls used a balanced scoring attack, placing three players in double-figure kills, led by 12 kills apiece from junior Nicole Lennon (.357) and sophomore Anota Adekunle (.688). Lennon notched her eighth straight double-double by tying Lee Ann Cunningham for the team lead with 13 digs.
Junior Kassidy Muse also contributed 10 kills (.667) while senior Grace Morgan (.385) almost reached double-figure kills as well with seven.
Rice posted their third-highest hitting percentage match of the season, succeeding at a .360 clip on 100 attacks. UTSA (9-7, 2-1) was held to a .114 hitting rate and totaled just 28 kills and 16 errors.
RICE HEAD COACH GENNY VOLPE
Postgame Reaction…
"I was really pleased with the balance that we had tonight. I think that was very key, the setters did a great job of following the gameplan and getting everyone involved. If we can continue to do that, it's very exciting for us. To have three players with 10 or more kills and Grace was close as well, that makes us very tough to stop."
On earning win No. 300…
"I think the program has come a long way. I kind of reflect on a lot of things; not just the wins, but also some of the losses, practices, trips and staff over the years. I love where I work and I love Rice University. I love all the players that I've had an opportunity to coach here and I'm looking forward to more."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
The two teams played a tight set one with four ties but with the score tied 14-14, Rice closed on an 11-5 run to win 25-19. Lennon contributed four kills in the frame as well as an ace to help the Owls win the all-important opening set.
Set 2
Rice dominated the second game, winning 25-13 behind a 10-2 run to close the set. Muse totaled four kills while Morgan added three more as the Owls hit a match-high .393 for the set.
Set 3
In the clinching set, Rice won 25-21 as Adekunle came alive with five kills and a pair of blocks to help seal the victory for the Owls.
Up Next
The Owls will be off on Sunday and won't play their next match until they host Southern Miss on Friday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m.
-RiceOwls.com-
Rice (14-1, 3-0) is now out to their best 15-match start in program history following the team's 17th consecutive home win dating back to last season.
The Owls used a balanced scoring attack, placing three players in double-figure kills, led by 12 kills apiece from junior Nicole Lennon (.357) and sophomore Anota Adekunle (.688). Lennon notched her eighth straight double-double by tying Lee Ann Cunningham for the team lead with 13 digs.
Junior Kassidy Muse also contributed 10 kills (.667) while senior Grace Morgan (.385) almost reached double-figure kills as well with seven.
Rice posted their third-highest hitting percentage match of the season, succeeding at a .360 clip on 100 attacks. UTSA (9-7, 2-1) was held to a .114 hitting rate and totaled just 28 kills and 16 errors.
Postgame Reaction…
"I was really pleased with the balance that we had tonight. I think that was very key, the setters did a great job of following the gameplan and getting everyone involved. If we can continue to do that, it's very exciting for us. To have three players with 10 or more kills and Grace was close as well, that makes us very tough to stop."
On earning win No. 300…
"I think the program has come a long way. I kind of reflect on a lot of things; not just the wins, but also some of the losses, practices, trips and staff over the years. I love where I work and I love Rice University. I love all the players that I've had an opportunity to coach here and I'm looking forward to more."
Set 1
The two teams played a tight set one with four ties but with the score tied 14-14, Rice closed on an 11-5 run to win 25-19. Lennon contributed four kills in the frame as well as an ace to help the Owls win the all-important opening set.
Set 2
Rice dominated the second game, winning 25-13 behind a 10-2 run to close the set. Muse totaled four kills while Morgan added three more as the Owls hit a match-high .393 for the set.
Set 3
In the clinching set, Rice won 25-21 as Adekunle came alive with five kills and a pair of blocks to help seal the victory for the Owls.
The Owls will be off on Sunday and won't play their next match until they host Southern Miss on Friday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
UTSA
RICE
Kills
28
47
Errors
16
11
Attempts
105
100
Hitting %
.114
.360
Points
35.0
55.0
Assists
28
44
Aces
6
4
Blocks
1.0
4.0
Game Leaders
Kills
12
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
12
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
7
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
L
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballOPP
/ Women's VolleyballVB: Rice-Texas Postgame Presser
Saturday, December 04
VB: Rice-San Diego Postgame Presser
Thursday, December 02