Photo by: Maria Lysaker - Rice Athletics
Volleyball Secures 20th Win of Season, Sweeps Charlotte
11/1/2019 7:25:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Owls win 11th straight
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – For a sixth consecutive season the No. 18 Rice Owls volleyball team secured a 20-win season and in the process extended their season-long win streak to 11 consecutive matches with a sweep (25-18, 25-16, 25-21) at Charlotte Friday evening.
Rice (20-1, 9-0) kept pace with No. 23 WKU (24-1, 10-0) as the only undefeated teams in Conference USA play this season by winning their eighth consecutive road match, the fourth-longest active streak in the NCAA.
The Owls had three players in double-figure kills, led by a match-high 17 kills from junior outside hitter Nicole Lennon. The Katy, Texas native posted her 13th double-double of the season by hitting .333 and collecting a conference season best 17 digs. Sophomore middle blocker Anota Adekunle continued her conference dominance with 13 kills (.423) while freshman outside hitter Ellie Bichelmeyer chipped in 11 kills.
Senior setter Adria Martinez registered her second double-double of the year with 25 assists and 13 digs while sharing setting duties with Carly Graham (18 assists).
The Owls outhit the 49ers (13-13, 2-7) .269-.094 and held Charlotte to just 21 kills, the second-lowest output by a Rice opponent this season. Meanwhile, Rice's 56 kills was the second-highest total by the Owls in a three-set match this year.
RICE HEAD COACH GENNY VOLPE
Postgame Reaction…
"Any time you get a sweep on the road, it's a positive. Charlotte tested us with their strong block and scrappy defense. As the match went on our offense found more rhythm and several attackers made solid contributions to our success."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
The Owls never trailed in a 25-18 set one victory, holding Charlotte to a -.071 hitting percentage. Rice went on a 7-2 run midway through the frame to take control of the game and open up a 19-13 edge. Lennon recorded four kills in the set while also tallying a pair of aces.
Set 2
Rice carried their momentum into a 25-16 triumph in the second frame, dominating on the offensive end with a .426 hitting clip. The Owls totaled 22 kills and just two errors and never looked back after a quick 11-4 start. Bichelmeyer (5 kills) and Adekunle (4 kills) led the way for the Owls.
Set 3
Charlotte was able to hang with Rice late but the Owls broke a 16-16 tie with a 9-5 run to secure the sweep with a 25-21 victory. Lennon helped put the match away with seven of Rice's 20 kills.
Up Next
The Owls conclude their second to last road trip of the season with a match at UAB on Sunday in Birmingham, Ala. First serve is schedule for 1 p.m. on CUSAtv.
-RiceOwls.com-
Rice (20-1, 9-0) kept pace with No. 23 WKU (24-1, 10-0) as the only undefeated teams in Conference USA play this season by winning their eighth consecutive road match, the fourth-longest active streak in the NCAA.
The Owls had three players in double-figure kills, led by a match-high 17 kills from junior outside hitter Nicole Lennon. The Katy, Texas native posted her 13th double-double of the season by hitting .333 and collecting a conference season best 17 digs. Sophomore middle blocker Anota Adekunle continued her conference dominance with 13 kills (.423) while freshman outside hitter Ellie Bichelmeyer chipped in 11 kills.
Senior setter Adria Martinez registered her second double-double of the year with 25 assists and 13 digs while sharing setting duties with Carly Graham (18 assists).
The Owls outhit the 49ers (13-13, 2-7) .269-.094 and held Charlotte to just 21 kills, the second-lowest output by a Rice opponent this season. Meanwhile, Rice's 56 kills was the second-highest total by the Owls in a three-set match this year.
Postgame Reaction…
"Any time you get a sweep on the road, it's a positive. Charlotte tested us with their strong block and scrappy defense. As the match went on our offense found more rhythm and several attackers made solid contributions to our success."
Set 1
The Owls never trailed in a 25-18 set one victory, holding Charlotte to a -.071 hitting percentage. Rice went on a 7-2 run midway through the frame to take control of the game and open up a 19-13 edge. Lennon recorded four kills in the set while also tallying a pair of aces.
Set 2
Rice carried their momentum into a 25-16 triumph in the second frame, dominating on the offensive end with a .426 hitting clip. The Owls totaled 22 kills and just two errors and never looked back after a quick 11-4 start. Bichelmeyer (5 kills) and Adekunle (4 kills) led the way for the Owls.
Set 3
Charlotte was able to hang with Rice late but the Owls broke a 16-16 tie with a 9-5 run to secure the sweep with a 25-21 victory. Lennon helped put the match away with seven of Rice's 20 kills.
The Owls conclude their second to last road trip of the season with a match at UAB on Sunday in Birmingham, Ala. First serve is schedule for 1 p.m. on CUSAtv.
-RiceOwls.com-
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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