Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Volleyball Ranked 23rd in AVCA/Taraflex Preseason Poll
8/15/2023 2:56:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HOUSTON — For just the second time in program history, the Rice Owls volleyball team is ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)/Taraflex preseason poll coming in at No. 23, the organization announced on Tuesday.
The Owls, who finished 27-4 last year, won the Conference USA Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Round of 32, finished the 2022.
Rice finished last season ranked No. 19 in the AVCA Poll and return nine letterwinners and four starters from last year's team.
The Owls will open the 2023 season with three straight home matches, starting with Southern Miss on Aug. 25 and followed by a Top 25 matchup against No. 22 USC on Aug. 26.
Rice's 29-match schedule features four matches against teams ranked in the Top 25.
AVCA Coaches Poll
1. Texas
2. Wisconsin
3. Stanford
4. Louisville
t5. Nebraska
t5. Pittsburgh
7. Minnesota
8. Penn State
9. Oregon
10. Kentucky
11. Florida
12. Marquette
13. San Diego
14. Ohio State
15. Baylor
16. Purdue
17. BYU
18. Creighton
19. Houston
20. Georgia Tech
21. Washington State
22. USC
23. Rice
24. WKU
25. Arkansas
The Owls, who finished 27-4 last year, won the Conference USA Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Round of 32, finished the 2022.
Rice finished last season ranked No. 19 in the AVCA Poll and return nine letterwinners and four starters from last year's team.
The Owls will open the 2023 season with three straight home matches, starting with Southern Miss on Aug. 25 and followed by a Top 25 matchup against No. 22 USC on Aug. 26.
Rice's 29-match schedule features four matches against teams ranked in the Top 25.
AVCA Coaches Poll
1. Texas
2. Wisconsin
3. Stanford
4. Louisville
t5. Nebraska
t5. Pittsburgh
7. Minnesota
8. Penn State
9. Oregon
10. Kentucky
11. Florida
12. Marquette
13. San Diego
14. Ohio State
15. Baylor
16. Purdue
17. BYU
18. Creighton
19. Houston
20. Georgia Tech
21. Washington State
22. USC
23. Rice
24. WKU
25. Arkansas
VB: Rice-Texas Postgame Presser
Saturday, December 04
VB: Rice-San Diego Postgame Presser
Thursday, December 02