Friday, August 30
Oxford, MS
6:00 pm CT
Rice University
1-0
3
at
0
Ole Miss
0-1
1
2
3
F
Rice
25
25
25
3
Ole Miss
21
22
21
0
Photo by: Petre Thomas (Ole Miss Athletics)
Owls Sweep Ole Miss in Season Opener
8/30/2019 9:12:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Face UCF on Saturday at 10 a.m.
OXFORD, Miss. – The defending Conference USA champion Rice Owls volleyball team picked up right where they left off last season with an impressive 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-21) sweep at host Ole Miss in the season opener of the Rebel Invitational Friday evening.
Rice (1-0) posted 51 kills over the three frames (17 per set) led by a match-high 15 kills from junior outside hitter Nicole Lennon, who also collected 11 digs for a double-double. Senior middle blocker Grace Morgan (11 kills, .350) and sophomore middle blocker Anota Adekunle (11 kills, .364) also reached double-figure kills.
The Owls outhit the Rebels .250-.140 while also leading in attacks (132-107), assists (48-30), blocks (7.0-4.0) and sideout percentage (60.6-52.1).
RICE HEAD COACH GENNY VOLPE
Postgame Reaction…
"I'm really proud of the team for not only how we finished but just the complete unity we showed. Everyone on the sidelines was giving us a ton of enthusiasm and momentum. At the beginning of the match we started a little slow and then same thing in set three, however, we maintained our composure and to be able to pull out a 3-0 win at Ole Miss on their home court is a great stepping stone to build off."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
After falling behind 7-3, the Owls stormed back by outscoring Ole Miss 22-14 the rest of the way for a 25-21 victory. Rice held the Rebels to a -.033 hitting percentage in the frame and just five kills. Leading 20-19, the Owls scored three consecutive points on kills from Adekunle, Kassidy Muse and Lennon and scored the final two points on another kill from Muse and a Rebels' attack error.
Set 2
The Owls had their best offensive set in the second frame, hitting .302 as a team. Rice never trailed after taking a 5-4 lead despite Ole Miss closing the gap late to 21-20. Morgan and Adekunle recorded a kill each around a pair of Ole Miss errors to win 25-22.
Set 3
Rice trailed for much of the third frame but found their footing late thanks to a 7-2 run to put the Owls in front for good at 20-19. Lennon posted six kills in the third set alone, including the match-clincher at 25-21.
Up Next
The Owls play the first match of day two at the Rebel Invitational with a 10 a.m. first serve scheduled against UCF, who defeated Iowa State in five sets on Friday.
-RiceOwls.com-
Rice (1-0) posted 51 kills over the three frames (17 per set) led by a match-high 15 kills from junior outside hitter Nicole Lennon, who also collected 11 digs for a double-double. Senior middle blocker Grace Morgan (11 kills, .350) and sophomore middle blocker Anota Adekunle (11 kills, .364) also reached double-figure kills.
The Owls outhit the Rebels .250-.140 while also leading in attacks (132-107), assists (48-30), blocks (7.0-4.0) and sideout percentage (60.6-52.1).
Postgame Reaction…
"I'm really proud of the team for not only how we finished but just the complete unity we showed. Everyone on the sidelines was giving us a ton of enthusiasm and momentum. At the beginning of the match we started a little slow and then same thing in set three, however, we maintained our composure and to be able to pull out a 3-0 win at Ole Miss on their home court is a great stepping stone to build off."
Set 1
After falling behind 7-3, the Owls stormed back by outscoring Ole Miss 22-14 the rest of the way for a 25-21 victory. Rice held the Rebels to a -.033 hitting percentage in the frame and just five kills. Leading 20-19, the Owls scored three consecutive points on kills from Adekunle, Kassidy Muse and Lennon and scored the final two points on another kill from Muse and a Rebels' attack error.
Set 2
The Owls had their best offensive set in the second frame, hitting .302 as a team. Rice never trailed after taking a 5-4 lead despite Ole Miss closing the gap late to 21-20. Morgan and Adekunle recorded a kill each around a pair of Ole Miss errors to win 25-22.
Set 3
Rice trailed for much of the third frame but found their footing late thanks to a 7-2 run to put the Owls in front for good at 20-19. Lennon posted six kills in the third set alone, including the match-clincher at 25-21.
The Owls play the first match of day two at the Rebel Invitational with a 10 a.m. first serve scheduled against UCF, who defeated Iowa State in five sets on Friday.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
RICE
OM
Kills
51
32
Errors
18
17
Attempts
132
107
Hitting %
.250
.140
Points
60.0
40.0
Assists
48
30
Aces
2
4
Blocks
7.0
4.0
Game Leaders
Kills
15
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
11
Aces
2
Blocks
4
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's Volleyball
OPP
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