Saturday, October 2
Houston, TX
1:00 P.M. CT
Rice University
8-5, 3-0
3
vs
0
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UTEP
11-3, 0-1
1
2
3
F
UTEP
18
21
16
0
Rice
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Owls Dismiss Miners in Three Sets
10/2/2021 3:59:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Third consecutive sweep
HOUSTON – The Rice Owls volleyball team secured their third consecutive sweep to begin Conference USA action with a straight sets victory (25-18, 25-21, 25-16) over the UTEP Miners Saturday afternoon at Tudor Fieldhouse.
Rice (8-5, 3-0) won a defensive battle, outhitting the Miners (11-3, 0-1) by a margin of .231-.150 and took advantage of 19 UTEP attack errors and 14 service miscues. The Owls also totaled 8.0 team blocks and won the digs battle, 41-37.
Junior middle blocker Anota Adekunle led the way for the Owls with seven kills (.417), tied with Nicole Lennon for the team-lead. In addition, Adekunle led all players with seven blocks, three of which were of the solo variety.
Junior setter Carly Graham recorded her sixth double-double of the season with a match-high 28 assists and tied Elizabeth LaBue for the team-lead with 10 digs. Four different Owls tallied six or more kills with Sahara Maruska (7 kills) and Shaylee Shore (6 kills) joining Adekunle/Lennon in that category.
Rice maintained a 71 percent sideout rate throughout the match and never trailed throughout the entire match.
Postgame Reaction - Head Coach Genny Volpe
"I was overall pleased with our serve and pass game. It's been a focus for us and will continue to be. I thought our back row had some great moments and also some plays they wish they could get back. UTEP is a solid team that we know will bounce back tomorrow so we will need to be ready and prepared for a battle."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The Owls outhit the Miners, .242-.200, en route to a 25-18 victory. Adekunle and Lennon totaled three kills apiece and Rice took advantage of five UTEP attack errors. Rice led just 19-17 before closing strong with a 6-1 run.
Second Set
UTEP committed six service errors which played a large role in a 25-21 Rice victory. The Owls hit just .154 for the set but Rice shined defensively with four team blocks, including a solo rejection by Adekunle. The Owls were able to gain separation from a 15-14 lead by outscoring the Miners 10-7 down the stretch.
Third Set
Rice had their best offensive frame of the match by hitting .281 as a team with 13 kills, with Lennon, Maruska, and Danyle Courtley all tallying three kills apiece. The Miners totaled six attack errors in the frame and hit just .061.
UP NEXT
The Owls and Miners will square off again tomorrow at 12 p.m. from Tudor Fieldhouse. The match will be streamed on CUSAtv.
Rice (8-5, 3-0) won a defensive battle, outhitting the Miners (11-3, 0-1) by a margin of .231-.150 and took advantage of 19 UTEP attack errors and 14 service miscues. The Owls also totaled 8.0 team blocks and won the digs battle, 41-37.
Junior middle blocker Anota Adekunle led the way for the Owls with seven kills (.417), tied with Nicole Lennon for the team-lead. In addition, Adekunle led all players with seven blocks, three of which were of the solo variety.
Junior setter Carly Graham recorded her sixth double-double of the season with a match-high 28 assists and tied Elizabeth LaBue for the team-lead with 10 digs. Four different Owls tallied six or more kills with Sahara Maruska (7 kills) and Shaylee Shore (6 kills) joining Adekunle/Lennon in that category.
Rice maintained a 71 percent sideout rate throughout the match and never trailed throughout the entire match.
"I was overall pleased with our serve and pass game. It's been a focus for us and will continue to be. I thought our back row had some great moments and also some plays they wish they could get back. UTEP is a solid team that we know will bounce back tomorrow so we will need to be ready and prepared for a battle."
First Set
The Owls outhit the Miners, .242-.200, en route to a 25-18 victory. Adekunle and Lennon totaled three kills apiece and Rice took advantage of five UTEP attack errors. Rice led just 19-17 before closing strong with a 6-1 run.
Second Set
UTEP committed six service errors which played a large role in a 25-21 Rice victory. The Owls hit just .154 for the set but Rice shined defensively with four team blocks, including a solo rejection by Adekunle. The Owls were able to gain separation from a 15-14 lead by outscoring the Miners 10-7 down the stretch.
Third Set
Rice had their best offensive frame of the match by hitting .281 as a team with 13 kills, with Lennon, Maruska, and Danyle Courtley all tallying three kills apiece. The Miners totaled six attack errors in the frame and hit just .061.
UP NEXT
The Owls and Miners will square off again tomorrow at 12 p.m. from Tudor Fieldhouse. The match will be streamed on CUSAtv.
-RiceOwls.com-
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Team Stats
UTEP
RICE
Kills
34
35
Errors
19
14
Attempts
100
91
Hitting %
.150
.231
Points
41.0
45.0
Assists
31
32
Aces
2
2
Blocks
5.0
8.0
Game Leaders
Kills
7
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
7
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballMB/RS
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