Rice University
15-7,9-3AAC
Temple
15-9,5-7AAC
Rice Volleyball Sweeps Temple, 3-0
10/29/2023 3:47:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HOUSTON, Texas — Rice volleyball blitzed Temple for a 3-0 sweep on Sunday at the Tudor Fieldhouse, 3-0 (25-8, 25-14, 25-14).
The Owls (15-7, 9-3 AAC) recorded a new season-high hitting percentage of .351, topping their previous high of .437 versus Houston Christian. Rice posted 48 kills with 48 assists. Defensively, the team recorded seven total blocks and 67 digs while holding Temple to a .027 hitting percentage with 22 kills.
Senior outside hitter Danyle Courtley led the Owls with 14 kills on a .393 hitting percentage. Fellow senior outside hitter Sahara Maruska followed close behind with 11 kills on a season-best .478 hitting percentage, recording a double-double with 13 digs. Sophomore setter Darby Harris posted her sixth-consecutive double-double with 35 assists and 17 digs. Senior libero Nia McCardell led the Owls with 18 digs, narrowly missing her second career double-double with nine assists. Graduate senior middle blocker Satasha Kostelecky posted a team-high four blocks, including two solo blocks, also hitting .500 with six kills.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Head Coach Genny Volpe
"Really proud of the team, especially our mental approach to the match. From the warm-up, they showed that they were locked in and had some really strong goals in front of them to achieve as a team. And they did it. They had one of the cleanest matches that we've played in a while. I think especially from the service line, I was really pleased with how we pressured Temple pretty much the whole match."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The Owls wasted little time in asserting themselves in the opening set, beginning the match with a 13-2 run. With complete command, Rice also posted 5-0 and 3-0 runs on their way to a 25-8 first-set victory. The Owls hit an even .400 and held Temple to a hitting percentage of .000 in the first stanza. Rice posted 29 digs while facing 39 total attacks in the first set.
Second Set
Rice's momentum continued through the second set as the Owls used a 5-1 run to again take a multi-point lead early in the set. The onslaught continued as Rice built runs of 4-0, 5-1 and 4-1 over the remainder of the set to post a 25-14 victory. The Owl offense continued to thrive as Rice posted 13 kills, including six from Courtley, with 13 assists, including 11 from Harris.The Owl defense also flexed its muscle with 19 digs, while Kostelecky recorded two solo blocks and graduate senior right side hitter Emilia Weske recorded the third solo block of the set for Rice.
Third Set
The third set began as a tight contest as Temple attempted to claw back into the contest, opening a 6-4 lead early on. The Owls responded and shut the door on the visitors with a 15-3 run to take a 19-9 advantage and essentially seal the victory. Sophomore defensive specialist Gaby Mansfield clinched the Owl win with a service ace, Rice's fourth of the match, to win the third set, 25-14.
UP NEXT
Rice (15-7, 9-3 AAC) sets to host Tulane (5-18, 1-10 AAC) for two matches next weekend on Friday, Nov. 3, at 6 p.m. (CT), and Saturday, Nov. 4, at 2 p.m. (CT).
