Sunday, October 8
Charlotte, NC
12 p.m.
Rice University
13-4,7-0AAC
3
at
1
Charlotte
9-9,2-4AAC
1
2
3
4
F
Rice
25
25
19
25
3
Charlotte
19
20
25
17
1
Volleyball Earns 3-1 Victory at Charlotte
10/8/2023 2:52:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Rice volleyball remained unbeaten in conference play, fending off Charlotte on Sunday night for a 3-1 (25-19, 25-20, 19-25, 25-17) victory at Halton Arena. The Owls have now won nine matches in a row.
The Owls (13-4, 7-0 AAC) hit .205 for the match with 57 kills, their most in a four-set match this season. Rice also notched six solo blocks, tied for their highest this season, and recorded 12 total blocks on the afternoon. The Owls had 79 digs, their highest mark in a four-set match this season. The 49ers, meanwhile, hit .149 with 48 kills in the match.
Graduate senior Emilia Weske led the Owls with a career-high 25 kills, hitting .365 on 52 attempts. Senior outside hitter Sahara Maruska recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 11 kills and 17 digs. Senior outside hitter Danyle Courtley also hit double figures in kills with 13, adding one solo block and three block assists. Junior middle blocker Kelsey Knobbe led the Owls with 5.0 total blocks featuring two solo blocks and six block assists. Senior defensive specialist Nia McCardell and sophomore Darby Harris each recorded double-doubles in digs and assists with McCardell recording 18 digs and 10 assists, while Harris finished with 21 digs and 39 assists.
Postgame Reaction - Head Coach Genny Volpe
"I thought Charlotte played a tough match. They went toe-to-toe with us defensively and made us work extremely hard for points. I'm proud of the way we competed and thought Emilia (Weske) was clutch down the stretch. We are looking forward to getting back home and playing in Tudor on Friday!"
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The Owls sprung out to a 3-0 lead to start the first set before allowing the 49ers to strike back to take a 6-5 lead of their own. Rice reclaimed the lead off a kill from Knobbe and held the lead onward through the remainder of the set. After holding Charlotte at bay by several points for much of the set, a 5-0 run with Harris serving pushed the Owl advantage to eight points at 24-16. Following a short 49er rally, Weske finished off the first set with a kill. The Owls hit .382 and had four blocks during the first set.
Second Set
After alternating points to start the second set, Rice again made the first move, using a 4-0 spurt to take a 7-3 lead early on. The Owls continued to increase their advantage, leading by as many as eight points at 19-11. The 49ers clawed back late in the set to trim the lead to two points before a kill from Courtley and two 49er attacking errors clinched the 25-20 win for Rice.
Third Set
Charlotte opened the third set with an immediate 4-0 run, to which the Owls responded to take the lead at 9-6. The 49ers answered with a 12-2 run to take an 18-11. Rice again responded, trimming the deficit to a mere point with a 7-1 run before Charlotte closed out the set for a 25-19 victory.
Fourth Set
The fourth set became a back-and-forth affair as neither side led by more than two points early on. Nursing a 10-9 lead, the Owls made their move with a 7-2 run to take control of the contest, holding the 49ers beyond four points for the rest of the set. The Owls hit .233 and recorded three aces in the deciding set, also forcing the 49ers into seven attacking errors.
UP NEXT
Rice returns home to Tudor Fieldhouse to host FAU (11-9, 3-4 AAC) on Friday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m. (CT).
The Owls (13-4, 7-0 AAC) hit .205 for the match with 57 kills, their most in a four-set match this season. Rice also notched six solo blocks, tied for their highest this season, and recorded 12 total blocks on the afternoon. The Owls had 79 digs, their highest mark in a four-set match this season. The 49ers, meanwhile, hit .149 with 48 kills in the match.
Graduate senior Emilia Weske led the Owls with a career-high 25 kills, hitting .365 on 52 attempts. Senior outside hitter Sahara Maruska recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 11 kills and 17 digs. Senior outside hitter Danyle Courtley also hit double figures in kills with 13, adding one solo block and three block assists. Junior middle blocker Kelsey Knobbe led the Owls with 5.0 total blocks featuring two solo blocks and six block assists. Senior defensive specialist Nia McCardell and sophomore Darby Harris each recorded double-doubles in digs and assists with McCardell recording 18 digs and 10 assists, while Harris finished with 21 digs and 39 assists.
Postgame Reaction - Head Coach Genny Volpe
"I thought Charlotte played a tough match. They went toe-to-toe with us defensively and made us work extremely hard for points. I'm proud of the way we competed and thought Emilia (Weske) was clutch down the stretch. We are looking forward to getting back home and playing in Tudor on Friday!"
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The Owls sprung out to a 3-0 lead to start the first set before allowing the 49ers to strike back to take a 6-5 lead of their own. Rice reclaimed the lead off a kill from Knobbe and held the lead onward through the remainder of the set. After holding Charlotte at bay by several points for much of the set, a 5-0 run with Harris serving pushed the Owl advantage to eight points at 24-16. Following a short 49er rally, Weske finished off the first set with a kill. The Owls hit .382 and had four blocks during the first set.
Second Set
After alternating points to start the second set, Rice again made the first move, using a 4-0 spurt to take a 7-3 lead early on. The Owls continued to increase their advantage, leading by as many as eight points at 19-11. The 49ers clawed back late in the set to trim the lead to two points before a kill from Courtley and two 49er attacking errors clinched the 25-20 win for Rice.
Third Set
Charlotte opened the third set with an immediate 4-0 run, to which the Owls responded to take the lead at 9-6. The 49ers answered with a 12-2 run to take an 18-11. Rice again responded, trimming the deficit to a mere point with a 7-1 run before Charlotte closed out the set for a 25-19 victory.
Fourth Set
The fourth set became a back-and-forth affair as neither side led by more than two points early on. Nursing a 10-9 lead, the Owls made their move with a 7-2 run to take control of the contest, holding the 49ers beyond four points for the rest of the set. The Owls hit .233 and recorded three aces in the deciding set, also forcing the 49ers into seven attacking errors.
UP NEXT
Rice returns home to Tudor Fieldhouse to host FAU (11-9, 3-4 AAC) on Friday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m. (CT).
Team Stats
Rice
CLT
Kills
57
48
Errors
22
24
Attempts
171
161
Hitting %
.205
.149
Points
74.0
62.0
Assists
55
41
Aces
5
4
Blocks
12
10
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
25
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
3
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's VolleyballRS
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