Sunday, October 3
Houston, TX
12:00 P.M. CT
Rice University
9-5, 4-0
3
vs
2
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UTEP
11-4, 0-2
1
2
3
4
5
F
UTEP
27
23
20
25
10
2
Rice
25
25
25
21
15
3
Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Owls Outlast Miners in Five Sets
10/3/2021 4:17:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Improve to 4-0 in Conference USA
HOUSTON – The Rice Owls volleyball team earned a hard-fought five set victory (25-27, 25-23, 25-20, 21-25, 15-10) for their fourth consecutive win, defeating the UTEP Miners Sunday afternoon at Tudor Fieldhouse.
Rice (9-5, 4-0) received a monster performance from senior outside hitter Nicole Lennon, who led all players with 25 kills (.350) on 60 attacks and 18 digs for her seventh double-double of the season.
The Owls also received 13 kills from Ellie Bichelmeyer, who tied her season-high in kills while hitting a blistering .435. Middle blocker Anota Adekunle totaled double-figures in kills with 11 on 16 attacks for a .688 hitting percentage.
In addition to Lennon, the Owls had three other players register 10 or more digs with Elizabeth LaBue (15 digs), Carly Graham (13 digs), and Nia McCardell (12 digs) contributing in double-figures. Graham also led the way with 50 assists for her seventh double-double of the year.
Rice's 69 kills were the most this season as were the team's 65 assists.
The match featured 25 total ties and 14 lead changes.
Postgame Reaction - Head Coach Genny Volpe
"Well that was definitely a battle of offense. We had a tougher time today making some defensive adjustments and they really had nice balance. Luckily for us we countered with hitting efficiency and just made a few more plays in the end to win the match. It's really tough to beat a good team back to- back, so I'm extremely proud of the composure and resiliency we showed. The bottom line is we found a way to win, and earned a very hard-fought battle."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
UTEP managed to break a 25-25 with consecutive points, including a set-clinching ace to win the opening frame 27-25. UTEP's Serena Patterson totaled seven kills in the victory and the Miners outhit Rice, .255-.200. Lennon contributed five kills in the loss for the Owls.
Second Set
Rice bounced back with a 25-23 match-tying victory as the Owls slugged their way offensively with 18 kills while hitting a sensational .459. Lennon added seven more kills while Bichelmeyer and Adekunle contributed three kills each. Graham dished out 12 assists in the win and LaBue led the way defensively with six digs.
Third Set
The Owls carried that momentum out of the break and defeated the Miners 25-20. Rice was unstoppable once again on offense, hitting .424 with 15 kills on 33 attacks. Lennon posted six more kills and hit .462 for the set and the Owls held a 76 percent sideout rate.
Fourth Set
Rice tried rallying late but UTEP never relinquished the lead and held on for a 25-21 match-tying victory. Patterson led the way with five kills, matching five more from Bichelmeyer. UTEP hit .367 as a team for the game.
Fifth Set
The Owls never trailed in the all-important final frame, rushing out to a 6-1 lead. UTEP managed to tie the game 8-8 but Rice outscored the Miners 7-2 down the stretch. During that run four different Owls registered kills, including the match-clinching score from freshman Shaylee Shore to win 15-10.
UP NEXT
The Owls will have the next week off and won't be back in action again until Oct. 15-16 at Louisiana Tech.
Rice (9-5, 4-0) received a monster performance from senior outside hitter Nicole Lennon, who led all players with 25 kills (.350) on 60 attacks and 18 digs for her seventh double-double of the season.
The Owls also received 13 kills from Ellie Bichelmeyer, who tied her season-high in kills while hitting a blistering .435. Middle blocker Anota Adekunle totaled double-figures in kills with 11 on 16 attacks for a .688 hitting percentage.
In addition to Lennon, the Owls had three other players register 10 or more digs with Elizabeth LaBue (15 digs), Carly Graham (13 digs), and Nia McCardell (12 digs) contributing in double-figures. Graham also led the way with 50 assists for her seventh double-double of the year.
Rice's 69 kills were the most this season as were the team's 65 assists.
The match featured 25 total ties and 14 lead changes.
"Well that was definitely a battle of offense. We had a tougher time today making some defensive adjustments and they really had nice balance. Luckily for us we countered with hitting efficiency and just made a few more plays in the end to win the match. It's really tough to beat a good team back to- back, so I'm extremely proud of the composure and resiliency we showed. The bottom line is we found a way to win, and earned a very hard-fought battle."
First Set
UTEP managed to break a 25-25 with consecutive points, including a set-clinching ace to win the opening frame 27-25. UTEP's Serena Patterson totaled seven kills in the victory and the Miners outhit Rice, .255-.200. Lennon contributed five kills in the loss for the Owls.
Second Set
Rice bounced back with a 25-23 match-tying victory as the Owls slugged their way offensively with 18 kills while hitting a sensational .459. Lennon added seven more kills while Bichelmeyer and Adekunle contributed three kills each. Graham dished out 12 assists in the win and LaBue led the way defensively with six digs.
Third Set
The Owls carried that momentum out of the break and defeated the Miners 25-20. Rice was unstoppable once again on offense, hitting .424 with 15 kills on 33 attacks. Lennon posted six more kills and hit .462 for the set and the Owls held a 76 percent sideout rate.
Fourth Set
Rice tried rallying late but UTEP never relinquished the lead and held on for a 25-21 match-tying victory. Patterson led the way with five kills, matching five more from Bichelmeyer. UTEP hit .367 as a team for the game.
Fifth Set
The Owls never trailed in the all-important final frame, rushing out to a 6-1 lead. UTEP managed to tie the game 8-8 but Rice outscored the Miners 7-2 down the stretch. During that run four different Owls registered kills, including the match-clinching score from freshman Shaylee Shore to win 15-10.
The Owls will have the next week off and won't be back in action again until Oct. 15-16 at Louisiana Tech.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
UTEP
RICE
Kills
73
69
Errors
20
14
Attempts
176
160
Hitting %
.301
.344
Points
85.0
78.0
Assists
68
65
Aces
8
3
Blocks
4.0
6.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
25
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
L
/ Women's Volleyball
MB/RS
/ Women's VolleyballVB: Rice-Texas Postgame Presser
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VB: Rice-San Diego Postgame Presser
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