Sunday, January 24
Houston, TX
2:00 P.M. CT
Rice University
0
at
3
Houston
Photo by: Maria Lysaker
Owls Fall in Three Sets at UH
1/24/2021 5:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Lennon records 18 kills in setback
HOUSTON – Rice senior outside hitter Nicole Lennon led all players with 18 kills but it wasn't enough to overcome the Houston Cougars in a 3-0 loss (23-25, 21-25, 25-27) by the Owls' volleyball team Sunday afternoon at the UH Athletics/Alumni Center.
Rice (1-1) dropped their first three-set match for the first time since Nov. 30, 2017 against Texas State in the NCAA Tournament.
Lennon totaled the 18 kills on 51 swings and was one of three Owls with double-figure digs (11) for her first double-double of the season. In addition, Lennon added a team-best four blocks. Fellow sophomore outside hitter Ellie Bichelmeyer joined Lennon with double-figure kills by tying her career-high with 12 strikes on 30 attacks (.333).
Junior setter Carly Graham recorded her second straight double-double with 38 assists and 13 digs while freshmen Nia McCardell (team-high 15 digs) and Danyle Courtley (7 kills/3 blocks) made strong impacts.
The Owls outgained the Cougars (1-1) in kills (46-45), hitting percentage (.211-.209), digs (61-60), and blocks (9-8) but Rice hurt themselves with nine service errors.
Genny Volpe Postgame Reaction
"We had several leads during the match and had many opportunities to close out each set and we just didn't execute. Houston put a lot of pressure on our attackers by playing great defense. When we gave them some opportunities, they (UH) finished plays.
I thought Carly Graham played inspiring volleyball for us today, making a ton of plays happen on both offense and defense. Obviously, Nicole had a strong match as well averaging six kills per set. We just needed a bit more balance. I'm looking forward to seeing our response when we get back in the gym and have a chance to evaluate our play on film."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
Rice held a 16-11 lead midway through the opening set but the Cougars chipped away at the lead and scored the final four points of the frame to win 25-23. Lennon totaled seven kills in the set.
Set 2
The Cougars closed strong by breaking a 21-21 tie with four consecutive points to win 25-21. Bichelmeyer gave the Rice offense a spark with five kills in the set but the Owls hit just .244 as a team.
Set 3
Rice held off match point twice before the Cougars prevailed for a 27-25 match-clinching victory. The Owls had held a 13-8 advantage earlier in the frame before the Cougars battled back. Lennon was unstoppable in the game with eight kills and added a service ace.
Up Next
Rice will head to Dallas next weekend for a pair of non-conference matches against the SMU Mustangs, which will take place Jan. 29-30 at Moody Coliseum.
Rice (1-1) dropped their first three-set match for the first time since Nov. 30, 2017 against Texas State in the NCAA Tournament.
Lennon totaled the 18 kills on 51 swings and was one of three Owls with double-figure digs (11) for her first double-double of the season. In addition, Lennon added a team-best four blocks. Fellow sophomore outside hitter Ellie Bichelmeyer joined Lennon with double-figure kills by tying her career-high with 12 strikes on 30 attacks (.333).
Junior setter Carly Graham recorded her second straight double-double with 38 assists and 13 digs while freshmen Nia McCardell (team-high 15 digs) and Danyle Courtley (7 kills/3 blocks) made strong impacts.
The Owls outgained the Cougars (1-1) in kills (46-45), hitting percentage (.211-.209), digs (61-60), and blocks (9-8) but Rice hurt themselves with nine service errors.
"We had several leads during the match and had many opportunities to close out each set and we just didn't execute. Houston put a lot of pressure on our attackers by playing great defense. When we gave them some opportunities, they (UH) finished plays.
I thought Carly Graham played inspiring volleyball for us today, making a ton of plays happen on both offense and defense. Obviously, Nicole had a strong match as well averaging six kills per set. We just needed a bit more balance. I'm looking forward to seeing our response when we get back in the gym and have a chance to evaluate our play on film."
Set 1
Rice held a 16-11 lead midway through the opening set but the Cougars chipped away at the lead and scored the final four points of the frame to win 25-23. Lennon totaled seven kills in the set.
Set 2
The Cougars closed strong by breaking a 21-21 tie with four consecutive points to win 25-21. Bichelmeyer gave the Rice offense a spark with five kills in the set but the Owls hit just .244 as a team.
Set 3
Rice held off match point twice before the Cougars prevailed for a 27-25 match-clinching victory. The Owls had held a 13-8 advantage earlier in the frame before the Cougars battled back. Lennon was unstoppable in the game with eight kills and added a service ace.
Rice will head to Dallas next weekend for a pair of non-conference matches against the SMU Mustangs, which will take place Jan. 29-30 at Moody Coliseum.
-RiceOwls.com-
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/RS
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S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L
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