Friday, October 14
Birmingham, AL
7:00 P.M. CT
Rice University
-162,60 CUSA
3
at
1
UAB
-711,24 CUSA
1
2
3
4
F
Rice
25
20
25
25
3
UAB
17
25
16
13
1
Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
No. 22 Rice Returns to C-USA Play with Victory at UAB
10/14/2022 9:59:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Houston, Texas – The No. 22 Rice Owls volleyball team returned to conference play in a big way, defeating UAB, 3-1 (25-17, 20-25, 25-16, 25-13) Friday night at Bartow Arena.
It was just the second four-set match this year. However, both have come in the last four matches. Rice hit .284 in the match holding UAB to just .165, the 15th time out of 18 opponents that Rice has held the opposition to under .200.
Junior Sahara Maruska totaled 11 kills and tied her career-high with 23 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. Senior Ellie Bichelmeyer had 11 kills and fifth-year senior Anota Adekunle added a team-high 13 kills on 25 attempts (.400).
Fifth year setter Carly Graham had 43 assists and added 10 digs for her sixth double-double of the season.
Postgame Reaction – Head Coach, Genny Volpe
"It was great to pick up this win on the road after a quick turnaround from Wednesday. I'm really proud of how the team came in focused and executed several aspects of the game plan tonight."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The teams traded points in the early going. With Rice leading 12-10, it scored five of the next six points. Rice pushed its lead to six, and with a 20-15 lead, the Owls closed the set on a 5-2 run to win, 25-17. Rice hit .450, led by four kills apiece by Satasha Kostelecky (.800) and Ellie Bichelmeyer (.364).
Second Set
The set began with the teams playing to five ties through the early going. With it tied at 13, UAB scored five of the next seven points. The Owls cut the lead to 18-17, but the Blazers scored seven of the final 10 points to win, 25-20. Rice hit just .205 in the set.
Third Set
Rice started off the set strong, opening an 8-2 lead. After two straight Blazer points, the Owls went on a 6-0 run to take a 14-4 lead. UAB scored six of the next 10 points to cut it to 18-14. But Rice closed the set on a 7-2 run to win 25-16. Adekunle led all players with four kills and hit .500 in the set.
Fourth Set
The set started off close with Rice holding a 10-9 lead. But the Owls rattled off seven straight points to lead 17-9. Rice closed it out by eight of the final 12 points. Rice hit .286 in the set and held UAB to -.023.
UP NEXT
The Owls return home this Sunday, Oct. 16, when it hosts Charlotte at 1 p.m. in Tudor Fieldhouse.
It was just the second four-set match this year. However, both have come in the last four matches. Rice hit .284 in the match holding UAB to just .165, the 15th time out of 18 opponents that Rice has held the opposition to under .200.
Junior Sahara Maruska totaled 11 kills and tied her career-high with 23 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. Senior Ellie Bichelmeyer had 11 kills and fifth-year senior Anota Adekunle added a team-high 13 kills on 25 attempts (.400).
Fifth year setter Carly Graham had 43 assists and added 10 digs for her sixth double-double of the season.
Postgame Reaction – Head Coach, Genny Volpe
"It was great to pick up this win on the road after a quick turnaround from Wednesday. I'm really proud of how the team came in focused and executed several aspects of the game plan tonight."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The teams traded points in the early going. With Rice leading 12-10, it scored five of the next six points. Rice pushed its lead to six, and with a 20-15 lead, the Owls closed the set on a 5-2 run to win, 25-17. Rice hit .450, led by four kills apiece by Satasha Kostelecky (.800) and Ellie Bichelmeyer (.364).
Second Set
The set began with the teams playing to five ties through the early going. With it tied at 13, UAB scored five of the next seven points. The Owls cut the lead to 18-17, but the Blazers scored seven of the final 10 points to win, 25-20. Rice hit just .205 in the set.
Third Set
Rice started off the set strong, opening an 8-2 lead. After two straight Blazer points, the Owls went on a 6-0 run to take a 14-4 lead. UAB scored six of the next 10 points to cut it to 18-14. But Rice closed the set on a 7-2 run to win 25-16. Adekunle led all players with four kills and hit .500 in the set.
Fourth Set
The set started off close with Rice holding a 10-9 lead. But the Owls rattled off seven straight points to lead 17-9. Rice closed it out by eight of the final 12 points. Rice hit .286 in the set and held UAB to -.023.
UP NEXT
The Owls return home this Sunday, Oct. 16, when it hosts Charlotte at 1 p.m. in Tudor Fieldhouse.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
Rice
UAB
Kills
57
51
Errors
11
23
Attempts
162
170
Hitting %
.284
.165
Points
71
60
Assists
52
45
Aces
6
6
Blocks
8
3
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
13
Aces
1
Blocks
6
Kills
11
Aces
3
Blocks
1
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
9
Aces
2
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
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