Saturday, September 25
Denton, TX
6:00 P.M. CT
Rice University
-65,10 CUSA
3
at
0
North Texas
-76,01 CUSA
1
2
3
F
Rice
27
25
25
3
North Texas
25
17
20
0
Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Owls Sweep North Texas to Open C-USA Play
9/25/2021 8:54:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Lennon records 17 kills in victory
DENTON, Texas – Led by a balanced offensive attack, the Rice Owls volleyball team started Conference USA action on the right foot by sweeping (27-25, 25-17, 25-20) the North Texas Mean Green Saturday evening.
Rice (6-5, 1-0) won their 15th consecutive C-USA regular season contest dating back to 2019 by outhitting North Texas (7-6, 0-1) by a margin of .239-.175. The Owls totaled 47 kills by seven different players, led by 17 kills from senior outside hitter Nicole Lennon. The Katy, Texas native hit .455 on 33 attacks and also contributed a team-high 15 digs for her fifth double-double of the season.
The Owls also received eight kills from both Shaylee Shore (.312) and Sahara Maruska. Junior setter Carly Graham led both teams with 41 assists over three sets.
Rice established a season-high with eight service aces with Shore and Graham contributing three apiece.
Postgame Reaction - Head Coach Genny Volpe
"I think this was a great match in terms of battling through some really tough rallies. North Texas puts a lot of pressure on you with their attacks. They are very aggressive and make you play defense. I was happy to see our block start making some solid touches even though our block numbers were relatively low. We were fighting hard the entire night and I was pleased to see our progress from the serving line most of all."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The Owls outlasted the Mean Green 27-25 in the opening frame in a set that saw 13 ties and seven lead changes. Lennon totaled eight kills in the game while hitting .438 and Shore contributed two of her three aces. North Texas outhit Rice .297-.244 but the Owls scored when it mattered, including the final two points to break a 25-25 tie.
Second Set
Rice jumped out to a 17-5 lead with a dominant start before prevailing, 25-17. Lennon totaled five kills and eight digs in the win and the Owls held the Mean Green to a .146 hitting clip.
Third Set
The Owls put the match away with a 25-20 victory, limiting the Mean Green to just a .040 hitting percentage. Lennon, Maruska, and Lola Foord all contributed four kills apiece and Graham helped break the game open with three consecutive aces.
UP NEXT
The Owls and Mean Green will meet once again tomorrow at 2 p.m. on CUSAtv.
Rice (6-5, 1-0) won their 15th consecutive C-USA regular season contest dating back to 2019 by outhitting North Texas (7-6, 0-1) by a margin of .239-.175. The Owls totaled 47 kills by seven different players, led by 17 kills from senior outside hitter Nicole Lennon. The Katy, Texas native hit .455 on 33 attacks and also contributed a team-high 15 digs for her fifth double-double of the season.
The Owls also received eight kills from both Shaylee Shore (.312) and Sahara Maruska. Junior setter Carly Graham led both teams with 41 assists over three sets.
Rice established a season-high with eight service aces with Shore and Graham contributing three apiece.
"I think this was a great match in terms of battling through some really tough rallies. North Texas puts a lot of pressure on you with their attacks. They are very aggressive and make you play defense. I was happy to see our block start making some solid touches even though our block numbers were relatively low. We were fighting hard the entire night and I was pleased to see our progress from the serving line most of all."
First Set
The Owls outlasted the Mean Green 27-25 in the opening frame in a set that saw 13 ties and seven lead changes. Lennon totaled eight kills in the game while hitting .438 and Shore contributed two of her three aces. North Texas outhit Rice .297-.244 but the Owls scored when it mattered, including the final two points to break a 25-25 tie.
Second Set
Rice jumped out to a 17-5 lead with a dominant start before prevailing, 25-17. Lennon totaled five kills and eight digs in the win and the Owls held the Mean Green to a .146 hitting clip.
Third Set
The Owls put the match away with a 25-20 victory, limiting the Mean Green to just a .040 hitting percentage. Lennon, Maruska, and Lola Foord all contributed four kills apiece and Graham helped break the game open with three consecutive aces.
The Owls and Mean Green will meet once again tomorrow at 2 p.m. on CUSAtv.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
Rice
UNT
Kills
47
32
Errors
21
14
Attempts
109
103
Hitting %
.239
.175
Points
59
44.5
Assists
46
22
Aces
8
3
Blocks
4
9.5
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
17
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
3
Blocks
3
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
OH/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballMB/RS
/ Women's VolleyballVB: Rice-Texas Postgame Presser
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