Friday, September 13
Jonesboro, AR
10:00 am CT
Rice University
8-0
3
vs
0
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
0-8
1
2
3
F
Rice
25
25
25
3
Ark.-Pine Bluff
22
12
14
0
Photo by: Maria Lysaker
Owls Remain Hot, Sweep UAPB for Eighth Straight Win
9/13/2019 2:11:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
JONESBORO, Ark. – Behind a scorching offensive performance, the Rice Owls volleyball team won the first of three weekend matches with a straight sets (25-22, 25-12, 25-14) victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff Friday morning on day one of the A-State Invitational.
(RV) Rice improved to 8-0 on the season by hitting a season-best .443 as a team with 10 different players registering at least one kill, five of which posted six or more kills. Sophomore middle blocker Anota Adekunle hit a blistering .692 and led all players with nine kills while freshman outside hitter Ellie Bichelmeyer contributed eight kills to go along with seven digs. Tabitha Brown and Nicole Lennon chipped in seven kills apiece while Tori Woogk hit .417 with six kills on 12 attacks.
The Owls committed a season-low six attacking errors while setters Carly Graham (20 assists) and Adria Martinez (14 assists) combined for 34 assists.
RICE HEAD COACH GENNY VOLPE
Postgame Reaction…
"Offensively we had a lot of production from several players, which was a big positive. Defensively this was not our best match. We will need to execute at a higher level the rest of this weekend the way that I know we can."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
Rice trailed for a majority of the first game and were on the losing side of a 21-18 score before rattling off a 7-1 run to complete a 25-22 comeback victory. Adekunle and Lennon each posted four kills and the Owls hit .471 as a team. The Lions performed admirably on offense as well, hitting .406 with 16 kills and just three errors.
Set 2
The Owls never trailed in game two and opened up an early 11-4 lead, eventually winning 25-12. Bichelmeyer and Lennon each posted three kills while Woogk led all players on defense with five digs. Rice outhit UAPB .387-.231.
Set 3
Adekunle and Bichelmeyer combined for eight kills (four each) as the Owls closed out the sweep with a 25-14 win. Rice posted 18 kills and just three errors on 32 attacks (.469) and led comfortably throughout.
Up Next
The Owls are back in action later this evening when they face host Arkansas St. at 6:30 p.m. Rice then faces Stephen F. Austin on Saturday, first serve set for 11 a.m. in the final non-conference match played away from Tudor Fieldhouse this season.
(RV) Rice improved to 8-0 on the season by hitting a season-best .443 as a team with 10 different players registering at least one kill, five of which posted six or more kills. Sophomore middle blocker Anota Adekunle hit a blistering .692 and led all players with nine kills while freshman outside hitter Ellie Bichelmeyer contributed eight kills to go along with seven digs. Tabitha Brown and Nicole Lennon chipped in seven kills apiece while Tori Woogk hit .417 with six kills on 12 attacks.
The Owls committed a season-low six attacking errors while setters Carly Graham (20 assists) and Adria Martinez (14 assists) combined for 34 assists.
Postgame Reaction…
"Offensively we had a lot of production from several players, which was a big positive. Defensively this was not our best match. We will need to execute at a higher level the rest of this weekend the way that I know we can."
Set 1
Rice trailed for a majority of the first game and were on the losing side of a 21-18 score before rattling off a 7-1 run to complete a 25-22 comeback victory. Adekunle and Lennon each posted four kills and the Owls hit .471 as a team. The Lions performed admirably on offense as well, hitting .406 with 16 kills and just three errors.
Set 2
The Owls never trailed in game two and opened up an early 11-4 lead, eventually winning 25-12. Bichelmeyer and Lennon each posted three kills while Woogk led all players on defense with five digs. Rice outhit UAPB .387-.231.
Set 3
Adekunle and Bichelmeyer combined for eight kills (four each) as the Owls closed out the sweep with a 25-14 win. Rice posted 18 kills and just three errors on 32 attacks (.469) and led comfortably throughout.
The Owls are back in action later this evening when they face host Arkansas St. at 6:30 p.m. Rice then faces Stephen F. Austin on Saturday, first serve set for 11 a.m. in the final non-conference match played away from Tudor Fieldhouse this season.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
RICE
UAPB
Kills
49
31
Errors
6
7
Attempts
97
85
Hitting %
.443
.282
Points
56.0
35.0
Assists
42
26
Aces
5
2
Blocks
2.0
2.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
7
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/OPP
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