Tuesday, September 7
Houston, TX
6:00 P.M. CT
Rice University
2-3
3
vs
0
Houston Baptist
5-3
1
2
3
F
Houston Baptist
19
16
21
0
Rice
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Maria Lysaker
Owls Cruise to Sweep of Houston Baptist
9/7/2021 8:51:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Rice uses balanced scoring attack for second straight win
HOUSTON – The Rice Owls volleyball team used a balanced scoring attack to defeat the Houston Baptist Huskies in three sets (25-19, 25-16, 25-21) Tuesday evening at Tudor Fieldhouse for the Owls second straight victory.
Rice (2-3) outhit the Huskies (5-3) .270-.120 and recorded more kills (45-33), digs (51-47), and team blocks (10.0-5.0). Seven different Owls registered four or more kills, led by sophomore Ellie Bichelmeyer's match-high 10 kills (.318) on 22 attacks. Freshman outside hitter Sahara Maruska contributed seven more kills (.500) off the bench while freshman outside hitter Danyle Courtley tacked on six kills.
Junior setter Carly Graham dished out 30 assists in limited action while junior libero Elizabeth LaBue and freshman defensive specialist Nia McCardell each contributed a match-high 15 digs.
Postgame Reaction-Head Coach Genny Volpe
"There were some bright spots today in that we had a better and more disciplined block. I thought Elizabeth (LaBue) and Nia (McCardell) did a great job controlling the ball all night. I would have loved to see us close it out sooner than we did but it's always good to win in three sets and compete in front of our fans here at Tudor Fieldhouse."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Rice took the lead for good at 9-8 and then used an 11-4 run to break the game open, winning 25-19. Bichelmeyer totaled five kills in the set while junior middle blocker Anota Adekunle added four more kills on five attacks. Graham assisted 14 times on the Owls 17 kills and Rice hit .325 as a team.
Second Set
The Owls saw a glimpse of the future in the second frame as the bench helped close out a 25-16 victory by ending the game on a 5-0 run. During that stretch freshman right side hitter Lola Foord posted a pair of kills while Courtley added the set-clinching kill. Freshman setter Izzy Rawlings also dished out four assist in the frame. Rice dominated in the game by outhitting the Huskies .302-.051 with seven different Owls registering a kill.
Third Set
The Owls opened up a 23-14 lead before the Huskies came roaring back with a 7-0 run to pull to within 24-21. However, out of a timeout Courtley put the match away with a solo block to clinch the victory for the Owls.
UP NEXT
Rice is back at home this Friday when they begin the Adidas Invitational II tournament by hosting the LSU Tigers at 6 p.m.
Rice (2-3) outhit the Huskies (5-3) .270-.120 and recorded more kills (45-33), digs (51-47), and team blocks (10.0-5.0). Seven different Owls registered four or more kills, led by sophomore Ellie Bichelmeyer's match-high 10 kills (.318) on 22 attacks. Freshman outside hitter Sahara Maruska contributed seven more kills (.500) off the bench while freshman outside hitter Danyle Courtley tacked on six kills.
Junior setter Carly Graham dished out 30 assists in limited action while junior libero Elizabeth LaBue and freshman defensive specialist Nia McCardell each contributed a match-high 15 digs.
"There were some bright spots today in that we had a better and more disciplined block. I thought Elizabeth (LaBue) and Nia (McCardell) did a great job controlling the ball all night. I would have loved to see us close it out sooner than we did but it's always good to win in three sets and compete in front of our fans here at Tudor Fieldhouse."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Rice took the lead for good at 9-8 and then used an 11-4 run to break the game open, winning 25-19. Bichelmeyer totaled five kills in the set while junior middle blocker Anota Adekunle added four more kills on five attacks. Graham assisted 14 times on the Owls 17 kills and Rice hit .325 as a team.
Second Set
The Owls saw a glimpse of the future in the second frame as the bench helped close out a 25-16 victory by ending the game on a 5-0 run. During that stretch freshman right side hitter Lola Foord posted a pair of kills while Courtley added the set-clinching kill. Freshman setter Izzy Rawlings also dished out four assist in the frame. Rice dominated in the game by outhitting the Huskies .302-.051 with seven different Owls registering a kill.
Third Set
The Owls opened up a 23-14 lead before the Huskies came roaring back with a 7-0 run to pull to within 24-21. However, out of a timeout Courtley put the match away with a solo block to clinch the victory for the Owls.
UP NEXT
Rice is back at home this Friday when they begin the Adidas Invitational II tournament by hosting the LSU Tigers at 6 p.m.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
HBU
RICE
Kills
33
45
Errors
20
14
Attempts
108
115
Hitting %
.120
.270
Points
42.0
58.0
Assists
31
43
Aces
4
3
Blocks
5.0
10.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
7
Aces
2
Blocks
1
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
5
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/L
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
L
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
VB: Rice-Texas Postgame Presser
Saturday, December 04
VB: Rice-San Diego Postgame Presser
Thursday, December 02