Friday, October 29
Birmingham, AL
6:00 P.M. CT
Rice University
-145,90 CUSA
3
at
1
UAB
-912,45 CUSA
1
2
3
4
F
Rice
25
25
23
25
3
UAB
23
13
25
20
1
Owls Record Ninth Straight Win, Defeat UAB
10/29/2021 9:13:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Remains unbeaten in C-USA
BIRMINGHAM, AL – The Rice Owls volleyball team secured their ninth consecutive win with a 3-1 road victory (25-23, 25-13, 23-25, 25-20) Friday evening at UAB. The C-USA West division-leading Owls turned in a strong defensive performance as they established a season-high with 12.0 team blocks and won despite hitting just .213, their lowest mark since back on Sept. 22 vs. Texas (.042).
Rice (14-5, 9-0) received double-doubles from both outside hitter Nicole Lennon (17 kills/16 digs) and setter Carly Graham (38 assists/12 digs) in the victory. Sophomore Ellie Bichelmeyer added seven kills and seven blocks while junior middle blocker Anota Adekunle contributed seven kills and six blocks.
In addition to Lennon and Graham, both Elizabeth LaBue and Nia McCardell had double-figure dig performances with 12 each.
Postgame Reaction - Head Coach Genny Volpe
"Offensively we were not as sharp today but we worked hard to find a way to win. I thought UAB really challenged our hitters and forced us to make some uncharacteristic errors. Both teams battled and really competed hard. I'm expecting the same thing tomorrow."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
After 11 ties and four lead changes, the Owls prevailed to win 25-23 in a game in which both teams hit over .300. Lennon led the Owls with five kills to go along with five digs. After UAB managed to tie the score 23-23, they committed a service error followed by one of Sahara Maruska's seven kills on the night to clinch the win.
Second Set
The Owls won going away, 25-13, as they posed a strong block with 5.0 team rejections two of which were the solo variety from Lennon. UAB hit -.093 in the game and committed 10 attack errors.
Third Set
UAB managed to force a fourth set by rallying from a 23-22 deficit to win 25-23. The Blazers' Alex Kells totaled eight of her match-high 20 kills in the set and Rice was outhit .303-.077.
Fourth Set
The Owls quickly raced out to a 14-7 lead only to have the Blazers close the gap and pull to within 20-19 late. However, Rice outscored UAB 5-1 the rest of the way as three different Owls recorded kills sandwiched around an ace from freshman Shaylee Shore to win 25-20.
UP NEXT
The Owls will face the Blazers once more tomorrow at 1 p.m. on CUSAtv in the road finale of the conference season.
Rice (14-5, 9-0) received double-doubles from both outside hitter Nicole Lennon (17 kills/16 digs) and setter Carly Graham (38 assists/12 digs) in the victory. Sophomore Ellie Bichelmeyer added seven kills and seven blocks while junior middle blocker Anota Adekunle contributed seven kills and six blocks.
In addition to Lennon and Graham, both Elizabeth LaBue and Nia McCardell had double-figure dig performances with 12 each.
"Offensively we were not as sharp today but we worked hard to find a way to win. I thought UAB really challenged our hitters and forced us to make some uncharacteristic errors. Both teams battled and really competed hard. I'm expecting the same thing tomorrow."
First Set
After 11 ties and four lead changes, the Owls prevailed to win 25-23 in a game in which both teams hit over .300. Lennon led the Owls with five kills to go along with five digs. After UAB managed to tie the score 23-23, they committed a service error followed by one of Sahara Maruska's seven kills on the night to clinch the win.
Second Set
The Owls won going away, 25-13, as they posed a strong block with 5.0 team rejections two of which were the solo variety from Lennon. UAB hit -.093 in the game and committed 10 attack errors.
Third Set
UAB managed to force a fourth set by rallying from a 23-22 deficit to win 25-23. The Blazers' Alex Kells totaled eight of her match-high 20 kills in the set and Rice was outhit .303-.077.
Fourth Set
The Owls quickly raced out to a 14-7 lead only to have the Blazers close the gap and pull to within 20-19 late. However, Rice outscored UAB 5-1 the rest of the way as three different Owls recorded kills sandwiched around an ace from freshman Shaylee Shore to win 25-20.
The Owls will face the Blazers once more tomorrow at 1 p.m. on CUSAtv in the road finale of the conference season.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
Rice
UAB
Kills
45
52
Errors
16
29
Attempts
136
157
Hitting %
.213
.146
Points
62
64
Assists
41
48
Aces
5
6
Blocks
12
6
Game Leaders
Kills
17
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
6
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
7
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
L
/ Women's Volleyball
MB/RS
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