Rice University
17-10,11-6AAC
Wichita State
20-7,14-3AAC
Volleyball Loses to Wichita State in Five Sets
11/17/2023 9:42:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HOUSTON, Texas — Rice volleyball dropped another five-set heartbreaker on Friday at the Tudor Fieldhouse, falling to Wichita State, 3-2 (23-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-18, 15-8).
The Owls (17-10, 11-6 AAC) hit .197 with 65 kills on 62 assists. Defensively, Rice registered 11.0 total blocks and 96 digs. The Shockers hit .210 with 70 kills and 65 assists, also recording nine blocks and 90 digs.
Graduate senior right side hitter Emilia Weske again led the Owls with 20 kills on a .254 hitting percentage, recording a double-double with 12 digs. Sophomore setter Darby Harris and senior outside hitter Sahara Maruska also posted double-doubles as Harris finished with 49 assists and 18 digs, while Maruska finished with 16 kills on a .238 hitting percentage in addition to 17 digs. Senior outside hitter Danyle Courtley also reached double digits in kills, recording 18 kills while hitting .204. Senior libero Nia McCardell led the team with 32 digs and junior middle blocker Kaitlyn Knobbe led the way with eight total blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The visiting Shockers made the first move of the match in building a 9-4 lead early on, yet it was the Owls who secured momentum the rest of the way, erasing the deficit with an 8-3 run to tie the match at 12 apiece. Wichita State again jumped back in front courtesy of a 6-2 run, but the Owls again showed their resolve, using a 7-3 run to tie the match again at 22. Kills from Courtley and Knobbe led the way in the final stages for Rice to take the first set, 25-22. Rice hit .348 in the first set as both Weske and Maruska each recorded six kills to help the home side to a 1-0 lead.
Second Set
The second set followed an eerily similar path to the first as Wichita State again build an early 9-4 lead only for the Owls to again answer with a timely run, only this time going on a 10-3 run to take a 14-12 lead. After exchanging several rallies, Rice further grabbed control with a 4-0 burst to take a late 22-18 advantage. A single-handed 2-0 run from Weske featuring an ace and kill clinched the second set for the Owls, 25-21.
Third Set
Rice's momentum continued into set number three as the Owls quickly built a 6-2 lead. Leading 10-5, however, Wichita State stormed back to take the lead with a 13-4 stretch run. A pair of kills from Courtley plus another kill from Weske brought Rice back to within a single point before the Shockers answered with a 6-2 run to put them on the brink of the set. Despite several last-ditch efforts to climb back, Wichita State ultimately clinched the third set, 25-22.
Fourth Set
This time, it was Wichita State who maintained momentum between sets, jumping out to an 11-3 lead to begin the fourth stanza. The Owls again showed their grit in responding with an 11-5 stretch of their own to trim the deficit to two points. Rice was unable to draw any closer, however, as the Shockers tied the match at two sets apiece with a 25-18 victory, forcing the Owls to go to five sets for the third-consecutive match.
Fifth Set
In the deciding frame, a 7-1 burst from the Shockers ultimately spelled doom for Rice. The Owls hit .130 in the final frame while Wichita State posted a mark of .400 en route to the 15-8 victory.
UP NEXT
Rice (17-10, 11-6 AAC) celebrates Senior Day against Wichita State (20-7, 14-3 AAC) tomorrow on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. (CT).
