Rice University
13-7,7-3AAC
SMU
16-6,10-1AAC
Volleyball Falls in Five-Set Heartbreaker to SMU
10/21/2023 6:27:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
DALLAS, Texas — Rice volleyball lost in five sets to SMU on Saturday, 3-2 (23-25, 26-24, 22-25, 25-22, 15-10).
The Owls (13-7, 7-3 AAC) hit .175 with 70 kills and 65 assists. Defensively, Rice registered 12.0 total blocks and 96 digs while holding the Mustangs to 66 kills on a .200 hitting percentage.
Senior outside hitter Danyle Courtley led the Owls with a career-high 24 kills while hitting .212. Courtley also recorded her second career double-double, and first this season, with 11 digs. Graduate senior right side hitter Emilia Weske finished with 18 kills, eight digs and six total blocks, while senior outside hitter Sahara Maruska also recorded a double-double with 14 kills and 20 digs. Maruska tied for the team lead in digs alongside senior libero Nia McCardell. Sophomore setter Darby Harris led the team with 55 assists, adding 15 digs for her 12th double-double of the season. Junior middle blocker ended with nine kills on a team-high .350 hitting percentage, adding four total blocks. Graduate senior middle blocker Satasha Kostelecky posted a team-best seven blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The Owls came out quickly with a 4-0 run to start the match. Despite an immediate answer from the Mustangs and never building a lead larger than four, Rice never trailed in the first set as Courtley and Weske each posted five first-set kills to lead the team. After SMU tied the set at 22 all, a Mustang service error followed by kills from Courtley and Weske earned Rice the first-set win, 25-23.
Second Set
It was SMU who opened the second set with a 4-0 spurt to take quick advantage. The Owls quickly clawed back with a 7-3 run to trim the lead to one point, ultimately tying the set at 12. The Mustangs threatened to run away with the set after another 4-0 run helped the home team build a 20-14 lead before Rice again fought back with an 8-2 run to again square the set at 22 all. After exchanging several points, an SMU kill and ace sealed the second set, 26-24.
Third Set
Rice made the first move of the third stanza, using a 5-1 run to change a one-point deficit into a three-point lead in the early stages. The Owls held the Mustangs at bay for several exchanges before another 5-1 Owl run powered by kills from Knobbe, Courtley and Maruska pushed the lead to 17-10. SMU answered back with a 6-0 run to trim Rice's advantage to a single point. The Owls again extended their advantage with a 4-0 run before the hosts again cut the lead to one. Kills from Maruska, Courtley and Weske ultimately clinched Rice's second set victory of the day, 25-22.
Fourth Set
The fourth set began as a tight affair as neither team led by more than two points before SMU managed an 8-5 advantage. Rice immediately trimmed the lead one before a 5-1 Mustang run allowed SMU to build a five-point advantage. The Owls cut the margin to a single point on multiple occasions through the remainder of the set but were ultimately unable to tie or take the lead as SMU won, 25-22.
Fifth Set
The Mustangs grabbed immediate control of the decisive fifth set with a 4-0 run to begin. The Owls trimmed the lead to three on multiple occasions following kills from Weske, Courtley and Knobbe but were unable to trim the lead further as the Mustangs clinched the match with a 15-10 victory.
UP NEXT
Rice (13-7, 7-3 AAC) returns to Houston next week to host East Carolina (18-4, 9-2 AAC) on Friday, Oct. 27 at 4:30 p.m. (CT).
