Friday, August 26
Baton Rouge, La
12:00 P.M. CT
Rice University
-10,00 CUSA
3
vs
0
Houston
0-1,0-0AAC
1
2
3
F
Rice
25
25
25
3
Houston
22
18
18
0
Volpe Records 350th Victory with Sweep of Houston
8/26/2022 2:38:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Owls open 2022 season with straight sets win
BATON ROUGE, La. – The Rice Owls volleyball team began the 2022 season in style with an impressive 3-0 dominant sweep (25-22, 25-18, 25-18) over crosstown rival Houston Friday afternoon on day one of the LSU Tiger Classic.
The win proved to be a milestone for Rice's 19th-year head coach Genny Volpe, who notched the 350th career victory in her illustrious career.
Rice (1-0), who is receiving votes in the AVCA Preseason Poll, outhit the Cougars .307-.179 and had four players hit .300 or better with at least nine attacks. Fifth-year senior middle blocker Anota Adekunle picked up where she left off last season with a match-high 13 kills on 22 attacks (.500) while junior outside hitter Sahara Maruska also notched double-figure kills (10) for the Owls.
The Owls also got efficient performances from right middle blocker Satasha Kostelecky (5 kills/.444) and right side Lola Foord (6 kills/.333)
Fifth-year senior setter Carly Graham stuffed the box score with a superb all-around performance, registering 37 assists (12.3 aps) to go along with 6 kills (.417), 6 digs, and a block.
Junior libero Nia McCardell led the Owls with 12 digs while freshman Darby Harris (11 digs) also collected double-digit digs in her collegiate debut.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The Owls were able to hold off a late Houston charge, taking the opening frame 25-22 despite both team hitting just .184. Maruska (4 kills), Adekunle (3 kills), and Danyle Courtley (3 kills) paced the way offensively for the Owls in a set in which both teams combined for 14 attack errors.
Second Set
Rice dominated the second game en route to a 25-18 victory. The Owls hit .359 as a team and Adekunle added five more kills. Rice never trailed after taking a 3-2 lead and Graham distributed 12 assists to go along with four kills.
Third Set
The Owls put the match away with another 25-18 victory, posting a sideout rate at 78 percent as Graham dished out 15 more assists and found seven different attackers for kills, highlighted by five more executions by Adekunle.
UP NEXT
The Owls continue on Friday with their second match of the day at 5 p.m. versus Samford.
The win proved to be a milestone for Rice's 19th-year head coach Genny Volpe, who notched the 350th career victory in her illustrious career.
Rice (1-0), who is receiving votes in the AVCA Preseason Poll, outhit the Cougars .307-.179 and had four players hit .300 or better with at least nine attacks. Fifth-year senior middle blocker Anota Adekunle picked up where she left off last season with a match-high 13 kills on 22 attacks (.500) while junior outside hitter Sahara Maruska also notched double-figure kills (10) for the Owls.
The Owls also got efficient performances from right middle blocker Satasha Kostelecky (5 kills/.444) and right side Lola Foord (6 kills/.333)
Fifth-year senior setter Carly Graham stuffed the box score with a superb all-around performance, registering 37 assists (12.3 aps) to go along with 6 kills (.417), 6 digs, and a block.
Junior libero Nia McCardell led the Owls with 12 digs while freshman Darby Harris (11 digs) also collected double-digit digs in her collegiate debut.
First Set
The Owls were able to hold off a late Houston charge, taking the opening frame 25-22 despite both team hitting just .184. Maruska (4 kills), Adekunle (3 kills), and Danyle Courtley (3 kills) paced the way offensively for the Owls in a set in which both teams combined for 14 attack errors.
Second Set
Rice dominated the second game en route to a 25-18 victory. The Owls hit .359 as a team and Adekunle added five more kills. Rice never trailed after taking a 3-2 lead and Graham distributed 12 assists to go along with four kills.
Third Set
The Owls put the match away with another 25-18 victory, posting a sideout rate at 78 percent as Graham dished out 15 more assists and found seven different attackers for kills, highlighted by five more executions by Adekunle.
UP NEXT
The Owls continue on Friday with their second match of the day at 5 p.m. versus Samford.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
Rice
UH
Kills
48
40
Errors
13
20
Attempts
114
112
Hitting %
.307
.179
Points
57
47
Assists
44
39
Aces
3
2
Blocks
6
5
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's VolleyballOH/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/RS
/ Women's VolleyballS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
L
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