Sunday, September 26
Denton, TX
2:00 P.M. CT
Rice University
-75,20 CUSA
3
at
0
North Texas
-77,02 CUSA
1
2
3
F
Rice
25
25
25
3
North Texas
22
18
15
0
Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Volleyball Sweeps Series at North Texas
9/26/2021 4:44:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Owls fire on all cylinders in Denton
DENTON, Texas – For a second straight day the Rice Owls volleyball team took down the North Texas Mean Green in straight sets, sweeping both the match (25-22, 25-18, 25-15) and the series Sunday afternoon at the Mean Green Volleyball Center.
One day after establishing a season-high in service aces, the Owls repeated the feat with a season-best nine aces on Sunday, which included a career-high five from Elizabeth LaBue, who also totaled a team-high 15 digs.
The Owls were very efficient on the offensive end, outhitting North Texas .361.-276 with only eight errors on 46 attacks.
Senior outside hitter Nicole Lennon achieved her second straight double-double with a team-high 13 kills to go along with 11 digs. Ellie Bichelmeyer also registered double-figure kills with 11 while hitting .450. Junior setter Carly Graham averaged 11.0 assists per set with 33 helpers.
Postgame Reaction - Head Coach Genny Volpe
"Today was a really solid win as we had much more balance on offense. Also, playing teams back-to-back is very challenging. North Texas will have a strong C-USA run and definitely was a tough opponent. For us to come out with two sweeps is a testament to our team's focus and intent this weekend."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
As was the case on Saturday, the Owls rallied late to earn a set one victory, prevailing 25-22. North Texas led 22-19 but the Owls closed strong with a 6-0 run for the win. During that stretch, Lennon and Bichelmeyer contributed two kills apiece and a dual block from Lennon/Shaylee Shore was the set-clinching point. Graham dished out 14 assists on Rice's 17 kills in the game, led by six kills by Lennon.
Second Set
The Owls led almost the entirety of set two, cruising to a 25-18 win while hitting .343 as a team. Shore led the Owls with four kills in the frame on seven attacks (.571) and LaBue tallied three of her five aces.
Third Set
Rice clinched the sweep with a 25-15 victory as they outhit North Texas .367-.107 behind four kills from each of Lennon and Sahara Maruska. The Owls posted a 68 percent sideout rate and broke the game open with a 9-3 run midway through the set.
UP NEXT
The Owls return home to Houston next weekend to host the UTEP Miners (11-2, 0-0) on both Saturday (1 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m.) from Tudor Fieldhouse.
One day after establishing a season-high in service aces, the Owls repeated the feat with a season-best nine aces on Sunday, which included a career-high five from Elizabeth LaBue, who also totaled a team-high 15 digs.
The Owls were very efficient on the offensive end, outhitting North Texas .361.-276 with only eight errors on 46 attacks.
Senior outside hitter Nicole Lennon achieved her second straight double-double with a team-high 13 kills to go along with 11 digs. Ellie Bichelmeyer also registered double-figure kills with 11 while hitting .450. Junior setter Carly Graham averaged 11.0 assists per set with 33 helpers.
"Today was a really solid win as we had much more balance on offense. Also, playing teams back-to-back is very challenging. North Texas will have a strong C-USA run and definitely was a tough opponent. For us to come out with two sweeps is a testament to our team's focus and intent this weekend."
First Set
As was the case on Saturday, the Owls rallied late to earn a set one victory, prevailing 25-22. North Texas led 22-19 but the Owls closed strong with a 6-0 run for the win. During that stretch, Lennon and Bichelmeyer contributed two kills apiece and a dual block from Lennon/Shaylee Shore was the set-clinching point. Graham dished out 14 assists on Rice's 17 kills in the game, led by six kills by Lennon.
Second Set
The Owls led almost the entirety of set two, cruising to a 25-18 win while hitting .343 as a team. Shore led the Owls with four kills in the frame on seven attacks (.571) and LaBue tallied three of her five aces.
Third Set
Rice clinched the sweep with a 25-15 victory as they outhit North Texas .367-.107 behind four kills from each of Lennon and Sahara Maruska. The Owls posted a 68 percent sideout rate and broke the game open with a 9-3 run midway through the set.
UP NEXT
The Owls return home to Houston next weekend to host the UTEP Miners (11-2, 0-0) on both Saturday (1 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m.) from Tudor Fieldhouse.
-RiceOwls.com-
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Team Stats
Rice
UNT
Kills
46
34
Errors
8
14
Attempts
104
92
Hitting %
.365
.217
Points
58
42.5
Assists
39
29
Aces
9
3
Blocks
3
5.5
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB/RS
/ Women's VolleyballVB: Rice-Texas Postgame Presser
Saturday, December 04
VB: Rice-San Diego Postgame Presser
Thursday, December 02