Friday, January 29
Dallas, TX
5:00 P.M. CT
Rice University
2
at
3
SMU
Photo by: Maria Lysaker
Mustangs Slips Past Owls in Five Sets
1/29/2021 8:15:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Lennon records 22 kills in loss to SMU
DALLAS – The Rice Owls volleyball team dropped a five-set (27-25, 20-25, 25-14, 18-25, 5-15) road match to the SMU Mustangs Friday evening at Moody Coliseum in the first of two matches between the schools this weekend.
Rice senior outside hitter Nicole Lennon posted a monster double-double with a match-high 22 kills (.352) and 11 digs for her 23rd career match with 20 or more kills. Joining Lennon in double-figure kills was sophomore Ellie Bichelmeyer (11 kills) and freshman Danyle Courtley (10 kills). Sophomore Maddie Fowler nearly joined the trio with a career-high nine kills on 21 attacks.
Freshman libero Nia McCardell shined bright on Friday by compiling 33 digs, tied for the ninth-most by an Owl in school history and the second-most by a Rice freshman. Only Tracey Lam (35 digs in 2007) posted more digs by a Rice freshman.
Rice setter Carly Graham established a career-high with 52 assists and was one of four Owls with two or more blocks.
SMU (1-0) won their season opener by outhitting Rice (1-2) by a .253-.230 margin and were led offensively by Jadyn Bauss (17 kills) and Hannah Jacobs (16 kills).
Genny Volpe Postgame Reaction
"Our team battled hard and made some good adjustments but didn't sustain our offensive execution towards the end of the match. Nia (McCardell) was definitely a strong force tonight and helped keep us in a lot of plays. We are being battle tested and it's something we will embrace. I'm really looking forward to bouncing back tomorrow."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
The Owls rallied from a 14-8 deficit to win a 27-25 thriller, closing the set on a 7-2 run. Lennon totaled five kills in the opening frame, including the set-clincher. Defensively the Owls held SMU to a match-low .138 hitting clip.
Set 2
SMU led from start to finish in a 25-20 set two victory. The Owls hit .343 for the frame but were fighting an uphill battle thanks to seven service errors.
Set 3
Rice put together their most impressive set of the match coming out of intermission, hitting a sensational .467 with 15 kills on 30 attacks. The Owls never trailed in the set as Lennon added six more kills en route to a 25-14 victory.
Set 4
The Owls were unable to sustain their offensive efficiency, dropping to a .179 hitting percentage in a 25-18 setback.
Set 5
Rice got as close as 3-2 in the final set but SMU dominated the final frame by outscoring the Owls 13-2 the rest of the way. The Mustangs hit .455 for the set with seven kills on 11 attacks.
Up Next
Rice will complete their weekend series with the Mustangs tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Moody Coliseum. The Owls will then return home Feb. 7-8 to open up Conference USA play against Louisiana Tech.
Rice senior outside hitter Nicole Lennon posted a monster double-double with a match-high 22 kills (.352) and 11 digs for her 23rd career match with 20 or more kills. Joining Lennon in double-figure kills was sophomore Ellie Bichelmeyer (11 kills) and freshman Danyle Courtley (10 kills). Sophomore Maddie Fowler nearly joined the trio with a career-high nine kills on 21 attacks.
Freshman libero Nia McCardell shined bright on Friday by compiling 33 digs, tied for the ninth-most by an Owl in school history and the second-most by a Rice freshman. Only Tracey Lam (35 digs in 2007) posted more digs by a Rice freshman.
Rice setter Carly Graham established a career-high with 52 assists and was one of four Owls with two or more blocks.
SMU (1-0) won their season opener by outhitting Rice (1-2) by a .253-.230 margin and were led offensively by Jadyn Bauss (17 kills) and Hannah Jacobs (16 kills).
"Our team battled hard and made some good adjustments but didn't sustain our offensive execution towards the end of the match. Nia (McCardell) was definitely a strong force tonight and helped keep us in a lot of plays. We are being battle tested and it's something we will embrace. I'm really looking forward to bouncing back tomorrow."
Set 1
The Owls rallied from a 14-8 deficit to win a 27-25 thriller, closing the set on a 7-2 run. Lennon totaled five kills in the opening frame, including the set-clincher. Defensively the Owls held SMU to a match-low .138 hitting clip.
Set 2
SMU led from start to finish in a 25-20 set two victory. The Owls hit .343 for the frame but were fighting an uphill battle thanks to seven service errors.
Set 3
Rice put together their most impressive set of the match coming out of intermission, hitting a sensational .467 with 15 kills on 30 attacks. The Owls never trailed in the set as Lennon added six more kills en route to a 25-14 victory.
Set 4
The Owls were unable to sustain their offensive efficiency, dropping to a .179 hitting percentage in a 25-18 setback.
Set 5
Rice got as close as 3-2 in the final set but SMU dominated the final frame by outscoring the Owls 13-2 the rest of the way. The Mustangs hit .455 for the set with seven kills on 11 attacks.
Rice will complete their weekend series with the Mustangs tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Moody Coliseum. The Owls will then return home Feb. 7-8 to open up Conference USA play against Louisiana Tech.
-RiceOwls.com-
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
OPP/MB
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L
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