Volleyball Earns NCAA Tournament At-Large Bid
11/28/2021 8:43:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Owls will face San Diego on Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. in Austin
HOUSTON – The Rice Owls volleyball team earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for a third consecutive season and the fifth time in program history, drawing the Austin Regional.
The Owls (19-6, 12-0) will face San Diego (20-7, 14-4) on Thursday, Dec. 2 in Austin. First serve is scheduled for 4 p.m. and the winner will move on to face the winner of Texas/Sacred Heart on Friday at 8 p.m.
"There's nothing like this," Rice head coach Genny Volpe said. "We look forward to this every single year. It's such an honor to compete in the NCAA Tournament. It was really dramatic this time because we were like the third or fourth last team called. We feel very blessed and we're definitely excited to compete. I think after what happened last season it just brings to light even more that you never take opportunities for granted and we're definitely excited to get back out there and compete in such an amazing event and represent Rice."
Rice will be appearing in their fourth straight NCAA Tournament and seventh overall under Volpe. Last season the Owls were forced to withdraw from the NCAA Tournament prior to their opening-round match versus North Carolina A&T due to COVID-19 concerns.
The Owls advanced to the Conference USA Championship match this year for a fourth consecutive season and went 12-0 during the C-USA regular season for a second straight season, earning the C-USA West Division crown.
The Owls (19-6, 12-0) will face San Diego (20-7, 14-4) on Thursday, Dec. 2 in Austin. First serve is scheduled for 4 p.m. and the winner will move on to face the winner of Texas/Sacred Heart on Friday at 8 p.m.
"There's nothing like this," Rice head coach Genny Volpe said. "We look forward to this every single year. It's such an honor to compete in the NCAA Tournament. It was really dramatic this time because we were like the third or fourth last team called. We feel very blessed and we're definitely excited to compete. I think after what happened last season it just brings to light even more that you never take opportunities for granted and we're definitely excited to get back out there and compete in such an amazing event and represent Rice."
Rice will be appearing in their fourth straight NCAA Tournament and seventh overall under Volpe. Last season the Owls were forced to withdraw from the NCAA Tournament prior to their opening-round match versus North Carolina A&T due to COVID-19 concerns.
The Owls advanced to the Conference USA Championship match this year for a fourth consecutive season and went 12-0 during the C-USA regular season for a second straight season, earning the C-USA West Division crown.
-RiceOwls.com-
VB: Rice-Texas Postgame Presser
Saturday, December 04
VB: Rice-San Diego Postgame Presser
Thursday, December 02