Saturday, November 16
El Paso, TX
1:00 pm CT
Rice University
24-1, 13-1
3
at
0
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UTEP
13-14, 6-8
1
2
3
F
Rice
25
25
25
3
UTEP
16
13
12
0
Photo by: ©Maria Lysaker - Rice Athletics
Defense Leads the Way in Sweep of UTEP
11/16/2019 3:40:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Owls to face UTEP again in quarterfinals of C-USA Championship
EL PASO, Texas – The No. 21 Rice Owls volleyball team closed out the regular season in style, recording their 19th sweep (25-16, 25-13, 25-12) of the season with a straight sets victory at UTEP Saturday afternoon.
Rice (24-2, 13-1) established a program record with their 13th conference win of the season and extended the nation's third-longest active road win streak to 11 straight matches.
The Owls held UTEP (13-14, 6-8) to a -.071 hitting percentage, marking the first time Rice held a conference opponent to a negative hitting percentage since they did so against the same Miners back on Nov. 3, 2014 (-.017).
The Owls established a season-high with 13.0 team blocks, including a team-best seven rejections from senior middle blocker Grace Morgan. The Miners committed 28 errors compared to just 21 kills and totaled only 26.0 points.
Offensively, Rice junior outside hitter Nicole Lennon led all players with nine kills (.348) while Morgan chipped in six kills on eight attacks.
Rice will next host the Conference USA Tournament Nov. 22-24 at Tudor Fieldhouse when they will open as the No. 2 seed and again face No. 7 UTEP in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Genny Volpe Postgame Reaction
"Offensively this wasn't our best performance but we did some very positive things from the defensive side. Our blocking continues to improve and we are getting more confidence in that area. Now it's to refocus on the next stage, which is the C-USA Championship. We hope Rice nation comes out in full force next weekend!"
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
The Rice defense set the tone from the get-go, allowing UTEP to hit just -.081 in the opening frame. Despite registering just 10 kills, the Owls took advantage of 11 errors from the Miners in the 25-16 victory. The Miners had closed to within 17-15 but Rice closed on an 8-1 run.
Set 2
The Owls' defensive performance remained persistent, limiting the Miners to a -.167 clip with four more blocks. Meanwhile Rice found their footing a bit more on the offensive end, hitting .222 with 12 kills. The Owls never looked back after scoring the first six points.
Set 3
Rice hit a blistering .450 in the final set, with kills on 20 attacks and just two errors. The Owls also posted four service aces in the match-clinching 25-12 win.
Up Next
The Owls will face UTEP at 5 p.m. on Friday in the third of four quarterfinal matches of the C-USA Championship. Tickets are available at RiceOwls.com or by calling 713-348-OWLS (6957).
-RiceOwls.com-
Rice (24-2, 13-1) established a program record with their 13th conference win of the season and extended the nation's third-longest active road win streak to 11 straight matches.
The Owls held UTEP (13-14, 6-8) to a -.071 hitting percentage, marking the first time Rice held a conference opponent to a negative hitting percentage since they did so against the same Miners back on Nov. 3, 2014 (-.017).
The Owls established a season-high with 13.0 team blocks, including a team-best seven rejections from senior middle blocker Grace Morgan. The Miners committed 28 errors compared to just 21 kills and totaled only 26.0 points.
Offensively, Rice junior outside hitter Nicole Lennon led all players with nine kills (.348) while Morgan chipped in six kills on eight attacks.
Rice will next host the Conference USA Tournament Nov. 22-24 at Tudor Fieldhouse when they will open as the No. 2 seed and again face No. 7 UTEP in the quarterfinals on Friday.
"Offensively this wasn't our best performance but we did some very positive things from the defensive side. Our blocking continues to improve and we are getting more confidence in that area. Now it's to refocus on the next stage, which is the C-USA Championship. We hope Rice nation comes out in full force next weekend!"
Set 1
The Rice defense set the tone from the get-go, allowing UTEP to hit just -.081 in the opening frame. Despite registering just 10 kills, the Owls took advantage of 11 errors from the Miners in the 25-16 victory. The Miners had closed to within 17-15 but Rice closed on an 8-1 run.
Set 2
The Owls' defensive performance remained persistent, limiting the Miners to a -.167 clip with four more blocks. Meanwhile Rice found their footing a bit more on the offensive end, hitting .222 with 12 kills. The Owls never looked back after scoring the first six points.
Set 3
Rice hit a blistering .450 in the final set, with kills on 20 attacks and just two errors. The Owls also posted four service aces in the match-clinching 25-12 win.
The Owls will face UTEP at 5 p.m. on Friday in the third of four quarterfinal matches of the C-USA Championship. Tickets are available at RiceOwls.com or by calling 713-348-OWLS (6957).
-RiceOwls.com-
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Team Stats
RICE
UTEP
Kills
33
21
Errors
14
28
Attempts
78
98
Hitting %
.244
-.071
Points
49.0
26.0
Assists
30
20
Aces
3
1
Blocks
13.0
4.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
9
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
7
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
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