Owls Removed from NCAA Tournament Due to COVID-19
4/14/2021 10:36:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Committee declares match no contest
OMAHA, Neb. – The Rice Owls volleyball team will not participate in the 2020 NCAA Tournament due to COVID-19 protocols. The NCAA Volleyball Committee declared Wednesday's scheduled first round match against N.C. A&T a no contest.
As a result, N.C. A&T will advance to the next round of the tournament.
"I'm heartbroken for our players, coaches, and support staff," Rice Director of Athletics Joe Karlgaard said. "They've worked so hard this spring playing through difficult circumstances. Even with this terrible news, I want them to remember they've had a really terrific season. Rice is proud of who they are and what they've accomplished this year."
"We are devastated that we won't be able to compete in the NCAA Tournament this year," AVCA South Region Coach of the Year Genny Volpe said. "This team deserved it, earning an at-large bid in a 48-team field and has so much to be proud of. It certainly is painful to see how much the team wanted to compete and to have to break the news to them that they couldn't play. To compete in this tournament meant so much to all of us. Although this is a very sad moment, we know safety is the number one priority. We will be back stronger than ever. Rice Fight Never Dies."
The No. 24 ranked Owls (16-5, 12-0), who received their fourth at-large bid in program history, were set to make their sixth appearance in the NCAA Tournament and third straight overall after winning the C-USA West division title.
-RiceOwls.com-
As a result, N.C. A&T will advance to the next round of the tournament.
"I'm heartbroken for our players, coaches, and support staff," Rice Director of Athletics Joe Karlgaard said. "They've worked so hard this spring playing through difficult circumstances. Even with this terrible news, I want them to remember they've had a really terrific season. Rice is proud of who they are and what they've accomplished this year."
"We are devastated that we won't be able to compete in the NCAA Tournament this year," AVCA South Region Coach of the Year Genny Volpe said. "This team deserved it, earning an at-large bid in a 48-team field and has so much to be proud of. It certainly is painful to see how much the team wanted to compete and to have to break the news to them that they couldn't play. To compete in this tournament meant so much to all of us. Although this is a very sad moment, we know safety is the number one priority. We will be back stronger than ever. Rice Fight Never Dies."
The No. 24 ranked Owls (16-5, 12-0), who received their fourth at-large bid in program history, were set to make their sixth appearance in the NCAA Tournament and third straight overall after winning the C-USA West division title.
-RiceOwls.com-
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