.png&type=webp)
Rice University Athletics
Rice University
17-9,11-5AAC
North Texas
17-12,11-5AAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice | 22 | 25 | 16 | 25 | 7 | 2 |
| North Texas | 25 | 23 | 25 | 21 | 15 | 3 |
Volleyball Falls in Five Sets to North Texas
11/11/2023 5:02:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
DENTON, Texas — Rice volleyball lost in five sets to North Texas on Saturday, 3-2 (25-22, 23-25, 25-16, 21-25, 15-7).
The Owls (17-9, 11-5 AAC) hit .183 with 47 kills on 46 assists. Defensively, Rice registered 11.0 total blocks and 59 digs. UNT hit .280 and recorded 16.0 total blocks on the night.
Graduate senior right side hitter Emilia Weske again led the Owls with 15 kills on a .225 hitting percentage, also adding two service aces and four blocks. Senior outside hitter Danyle Courtley also reached double digits in kills, recording 11 kills alongside four blocks. Freshman outside hitter Cindy Tchouangwa added nine kills off the bench. Junior middle blocker led the team with seven total blocks in addition to five kills. Senior libero Nia McCardell led the team with 12digs, also contributing one ace and five assists. Sophomore setter Darby Harris recorded another double-double, her 15th of the season, with 32 assists and 11 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The Mean Green jumped out first in the opening set, using a 4-1 run to take a multi-point lead. The Owls answered with a 3-0 run to trim the deficit to a single point before UNT re-established control with a 6-2 spurt. Rice again fought back to a two-point disadvantage but ran out of time in an opening set loss, 25-22.
Second Set
North Texas threatened to put the Owls in an 0-2 hole midway through the second set, as an 11-3 UNT run allowed the Mean Green to build a six-point lead. Trailing 20-15, Rice stormed back with a 6-0 run to take the late lead. After alternating several points, a Weske kill and ace helped the Owls to tie the match at one set apiece after a 25-22 win.
Third Set
The third set began as a back-and-forth as neither side led by more than two points en route to an 8-8 tie. North Texas responded by then taking control of the third set, using a 4-0 run midway through to establish a lead they would not relinquish.
Fourth Set
With their backs against the wall, Rice fought tooth-and-nail during a back-and-forth battle in the fourth set. Neither team built a lead larger than two points for the majority of the set, leading to a 17-17 tie late in the stanza. The Owls then made their move, piecing together a 7-4 run to close out the fourth set and force a deciding fifth with a 25-21 win.
Fifth Set
The Mean Green opened the set on a 7-1 run which the Owls were unable to recover from as UNT took the 15-7 victory to claim the match.
UP NEXT
Rice (17-9, 11-5 AAC) returns home to the Tudor Fieldhouse to host Wichita State (19-7, 13-3 AAC) on Friday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. (CT), and Saturday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. (CT).
