Saturday, April 3
Hattiesburg, MS
12 P.M. CT
Rice University
-165,120 CUSA
1
vs
3
No. 19 WKU (Championship)
-210,120 CUSA
1
2
3
4
F
Western Ky.
25
25
21
25
3
Rice
20
19
25
22
1
No. 24 Owls Fall to No. 19 WKU in C-USA Championship
4/3/2021 3:39:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Graham, Lennon, and Maruska named to All-Tournament Team
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – In yet another classic in the Conference USA Championship, the No. 24 ranked Rice Owls volleyball team fought to the end but fell just short in their comeback bid against the No. 19 ranked WKU Hilltoppers, falling in four sets (20-25, 19-25, 25-21, 22-25).
Rice (16-5) fell behind 2-0 in the match before rallying to win set three and holding the lead for much of the fourth game before WKU stormed back to win the set and match. The Owls were making their third consecutive C-USA title match appearance and fifth in the last seven seasons.
Senior outside hitter Nicole Lennon led all players with 22 kills (.296) while freshman pin Sahara Maruska stepped up with 12 kills and 11 digs for her second straight double-double in the tournament. Junior setter Carly Graham distributed 46 assists, tied her career-high with seven kills and added eight digs. Junior middle blocker Anota Adekunle, sophomore right side Ellie Bichelmeyer and sophomore middle blocker Satasha Kostelecky all contributed seven kills apiece.
Graham, Lennon, and Maruska all earned spots on the C-USA All-Tournament Team.
The Owls outgained the Hilltoppers in total kills (62-58) with WKU (21-0) holding a slight edge in hitting percentage, .309-.300. The Owls committed five more attack errors (20-15) and three more service errors (10-7).
WKU was led by middle blocker Lauren Matthews, who totaled 20 kills.
POSTGAME REACTION
Rice Head Coach Genny Volpe
"Today was everything we thought it would be. It was a very competitive match between two competitive Top-25 teams. We're disappointed with the outcome but the game was played at a very high level. I'm really proud of my team for how they fought back after being down. That's who we are and who we'll continue to be every time we step out on the court. And congratulations to WKU, they played a great match."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
The two teams played to eight ties and three lead changes before WKU took control of the set midway through and went on a 9-4 run to win 25-20. Lennon led the way for the Owls with seven kills (.357) in the set while Maruska posted four kills and hit .800. The Owls actually outhit WKU, .382-.312, but committed six more combined attack/service errors.
Set 2
Game two looked much like the opening frame with the two teams going back and forth to the tune of 11 ties and two lead changes before WKU closed on a 10-4 run to win 25-19. The Hilltoppers hit .429 in the set led by six kills from Paige Briggs while the Owls hit just .219.
Set 3
The Owls found their way after the break, controlling much of the third set in a 25-21 victory. Lennon was unstoppable with nine kills on 19 attacks (.421) and Graham had the offense clicking with 14 assists as the Owls hit .326 as a team.
Set 4
Rice built a 21-17 lead and were on the verge of forcing a fifth set but WKU came roaring back with an 8-4 run to win the set 25-22. Matthews led all players with seven kills (.778).
Up Next
The Owls will await their postseason hopes until tomorrow, April 4 when the NCAA Selection Show airs on ESPNU at 3 p.m. CT.
Rice (16-5) fell behind 2-0 in the match before rallying to win set three and holding the lead for much of the fourth game before WKU stormed back to win the set and match. The Owls were making their third consecutive C-USA title match appearance and fifth in the last seven seasons.
Senior outside hitter Nicole Lennon led all players with 22 kills (.296) while freshman pin Sahara Maruska stepped up with 12 kills and 11 digs for her second straight double-double in the tournament. Junior setter Carly Graham distributed 46 assists, tied her career-high with seven kills and added eight digs. Junior middle blocker Anota Adekunle, sophomore right side Ellie Bichelmeyer and sophomore middle blocker Satasha Kostelecky all contributed seven kills apiece.
Graham, Lennon, and Maruska all earned spots on the C-USA All-Tournament Team.
The Owls outgained the Hilltoppers in total kills (62-58) with WKU (21-0) holding a slight edge in hitting percentage, .309-.300. The Owls committed five more attack errors (20-15) and three more service errors (10-7).
WKU was led by middle blocker Lauren Matthews, who totaled 20 kills.
Rice Head Coach Genny Volpe
"Today was everything we thought it would be. It was a very competitive match between two competitive Top-25 teams. We're disappointed with the outcome but the game was played at a very high level. I'm really proud of my team for how they fought back after being down. That's who we are and who we'll continue to be every time we step out on the court. And congratulations to WKU, they played a great match."
Set 1
The two teams played to eight ties and three lead changes before WKU took control of the set midway through and went on a 9-4 run to win 25-20. Lennon led the way for the Owls with seven kills (.357) in the set while Maruska posted four kills and hit .800. The Owls actually outhit WKU, .382-.312, but committed six more combined attack/service errors.
Set 2
Game two looked much like the opening frame with the two teams going back and forth to the tune of 11 ties and two lead changes before WKU closed on a 10-4 run to win 25-19. The Hilltoppers hit .429 in the set led by six kills from Paige Briggs while the Owls hit just .219.
Set 3
The Owls found their way after the break, controlling much of the third set in a 25-21 victory. Lennon was unstoppable with nine kills on 19 attacks (.421) and Graham had the offense clicking with 14 assists as the Owls hit .326 as a team.
Set 4
Rice built a 21-17 lead and were on the verge of forcing a fifth set but WKU came roaring back with an 8-4 run to win the set 25-22. Matthews led all players with seven kills (.778).
The Owls will await their postseason hopes until tomorrow, April 4 when the NCAA Selection Show airs on ESPNU at 3 p.m. CT.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
WestKy
Rice
Kills
58
62
Errors
15
20
Attempts
139
140
Hitting %
.309
.300
Points
70
71
Assists
56
60
Aces
4
2
Blocks
8
7
Game Leaders
Kills
22
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
12
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's VolleyballS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
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