Rice University
18-11,12-7AAC
South Florida
19-11,13-6AAC
Volleyball Falls in Five Sets to South Florida in Regular Season Finale
11/22/2023 2:27:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
TAMPA, Florida — Rice volleyball fell in five sets, 3-2 (25-18, 12-25, 28-26, 18-25, 15-13) at South Florida on Wednesday.
The Owls (18-11, 12-7 AAC) hit .230 with 63 kills on 59 assists. Defensively, Rice registered 13 total blocks and 84 digs. The Owls held the Bulls to a hitting percentage of .151 with 57 kills and 50 assists. South Florida recorded 13 blocks and 66 digs.
Senior outside hitter Danyle Courtley led the Owls with 22 kills on a .288 hitting percentage, recording her third career double-double with 10 digs. Junior right side hitter Lola Foord added 11 kills on a .296 hitting percentage alongside five blocks. Junior middle blocker Kaitlyn Knobbe led the team with seven total blocks, also adding seven kills. Sophomore middle blocker Lademi Ogunlana posted nine kills and four blocks, while freshman outside hitter Cindy Tchouangwa added eight kills. Sophomore setter Darby Harris posted a team-best 52 kills, registering her 20th double-double of the season with 14 digs. Senior libero Nia McCardell led Rice with 31 digs. Senior outside hitter Sahara Maruska led the team with two service aces.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The Bulls jumped out to a 9-5 lead in the first set courtesy of a 6-1 run. Rice battled back to two-point deficits on multiple occasions before another 6-1 Bulls run pushed the lead out to seven points en route to the 25-18 USF victory to open the match.
Second Set
The Owls responded with their strongest set of the match, immediately jumping out toa 3-0 lead in the second frame. After USF trimmed Rice's lead to a single point, the Owls flooded the gates with a 12-4 run to grab firm control of the set. Rice's momentum continued as the team closed the second set on a 6-0 run to complete the 25-12 victory and tie the match. The Owls hit .433 in the second set, totalling 16 kills on 15 assists alongside 17 digs and three total blocks. Rice also held the Bulls to a -.147 hitting percentage in the frame.
Third Set
Rice played much of the third set from behind as South Florida used a 4-0 run early in the set to build and maintain a lead. The Owls fought to close the gap but were unable to tie the match for the majority of the third stanza, though the lead also did not grow beyond four points at any time. South Florida led at 24-21 before Rice fought off three-consecutive set points to tie the set at 24 apiece. Each side served for the set over the ensuing several rallies before a 3-0 Bulls run clinched the 28-26 win for USF.
Fourth Set
The Owls again responded to losing a set with one of their best performances of the day. Rice hit .303 in the fourth frame and totaled 16 kills, 14 assists, 17 digs and two aces. A 6-0 Owl run turned an 11-9 deficit into a 15-11 advantage. After the Bulls battled back to within a point, Rice again answered with a 7-1 run to close the door en route to a 25-18 win to force a fifth set.
Fifth Set
The final frame was a battle of runs as each team fought to grab momentum. South Florida jumped out to a 3-1 lead before the Owls responded with a 4-0 to retake the lead. The Owls led by as many as three following a Tchouangwa kill before the Bulls used a 9-4 run to close out the set, 15-13, and win the match.
UP NEXT
Rice (18-11, 12-7 AAC) await their postseason fate. The NCAA Selection Show will be broadcast on ESPNU on Sunday, Nov. 26, at 5 p.m. (CT). The field for the NIVC Tournament will be announced following the announcement of the NCAA Tournament field.
