Saturday, August 26
Houston, TX
6 p.m.
Rice University
2-0,0-0AAC
3
vs
0
USC
0-2,0-0Pac-12
1
2
3
F
Southern California
21
22
18
0
Rice
25
25
25
3
No. 23 Rice Knocks off No. 22 USC in Straight Sets
8/26/2023 9:06:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HOUSTON – In a tightly-fought match, the No. 23 Rice Owls volleyball team defeated No. 22 USC in straight sets (25-21, 25-22, 25-18), Saturday night at Tudor Fieldhouse in a battle of ranked foes.
It is the second sweep of a ranked opponent in school history and the first since 2009.
Rice outhit the Trojans, .214-to-.144. Senior outside hitter Danyle Courtley led the Owls with 14 kills while .400 hitting. Graduate student right side hitter Emilia Weske recorded her second straight double-double with 11 kills and 13 digs.
Sophomore setter Darby Harris added a double-double with a career-high 32 assists while adding 14 digs.
Junior middle blocker Kaitlyn Knobbe (6 kills/.500 hitting) and freshman outside hitter Cindy Tchouangwa (6 kills) also contributed offensively.
Defensively, senior libero Nia McCardell led all players with 18 digs.
Postgame Reaction – Head Coach Genny Volpe
"It was such an electric atmosphere in Tudor tonight! I want to thank all the students that came out for the match because it made a huge impact. I thought Nia (McCardell) showed why she's one of the best liberos in the country tonight. And Danyle (Courtley) really stepped up and found her offensive rhythm too. We are looking forward to another match at home on Tuesday and hope Rice Nation comes back out!"
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
USC jumped out to a 5-2 lead, but the Owls came back to take a 7-6 lead. The Trojans scored seven of the next 10 points, but Rice responded with a 6-3 run to tie it at 16. A kill by Courtley sent Rice on a 5-1 run before USC cut the deficit to 21-19. After trading points, Courtley closed it out with kill as the Owls took the first set, 25-21.
Second Set
Rice jumped out to a 9-6 lead before extending its advantage to 13-9. But five straight USC points gave it a 14-13 lead. After the teams traded a pair of points, the Owls score six of the next seven points to take a 21-17 advantage. The teams again traded points, but a USC service error gave Rice the set, 25-22.
Third Set
The Owls came out hot in the third set scoring the first three points. USC rallied to tie it at eight. But Rice began to take control of the set. A 7-2 run gave Rice a 15-10 advantage at the timeout. After a USC point, Rice rattled off six straight to take its largest lead of the match at 21-11. The Trojans scored five of six points to cut the led to six. However, after trading points, Cindy Tchouangwa finished off the sweep with her sixth kill.
UP NEXT
The Owls close out its season-opening homestand this Tuesday, Aug. 29, when it hosts Louisiana at 6 p.m. at Tudor Fieldhouse.
It is the second sweep of a ranked opponent in school history and the first since 2009.
Rice outhit the Trojans, .214-to-.144. Senior outside hitter Danyle Courtley led the Owls with 14 kills while .400 hitting. Graduate student right side hitter Emilia Weske recorded her second straight double-double with 11 kills and 13 digs.
Sophomore setter Darby Harris added a double-double with a career-high 32 assists while adding 14 digs.
Junior middle blocker Kaitlyn Knobbe (6 kills/.500 hitting) and freshman outside hitter Cindy Tchouangwa (6 kills) also contributed offensively.
Defensively, senior libero Nia McCardell led all players with 18 digs.
Postgame Reaction – Head Coach Genny Volpe
"It was such an electric atmosphere in Tudor tonight! I want to thank all the students that came out for the match because it made a huge impact. I thought Nia (McCardell) showed why she's one of the best liberos in the country tonight. And Danyle (Courtley) really stepped up and found her offensive rhythm too. We are looking forward to another match at home on Tuesday and hope Rice Nation comes back out!"
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
USC jumped out to a 5-2 lead, but the Owls came back to take a 7-6 lead. The Trojans scored seven of the next 10 points, but Rice responded with a 6-3 run to tie it at 16. A kill by Courtley sent Rice on a 5-1 run before USC cut the deficit to 21-19. After trading points, Courtley closed it out with kill as the Owls took the first set, 25-21.
Second Set
Rice jumped out to a 9-6 lead before extending its advantage to 13-9. But five straight USC points gave it a 14-13 lead. After the teams traded a pair of points, the Owls score six of the next seven points to take a 21-17 advantage. The teams again traded points, but a USC service error gave Rice the set, 25-22.
Third Set
The Owls came out hot in the third set scoring the first three points. USC rallied to tie it at eight. But Rice began to take control of the set. A 7-2 run gave Rice a 15-10 advantage at the timeout. After a USC point, Rice rattled off six straight to take its largest lead of the match at 21-11. The Trojans scored five of six points to cut the led to six. However, after trading points, Cindy Tchouangwa finished off the sweep with her sixth kill.
UP NEXT
The Owls close out its season-opening homestand this Tuesday, Aug. 29, when it hosts Louisiana at 6 p.m. at Tudor Fieldhouse.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
USC
Rice
Kills
33
40
Errors
16
15
Attempts
118
117
Hitting %
.144
.214
Points
39.0
48.0
Assists
31
37
Aces
1
5
Blocks
5
3
Game Leaders
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
11
Aces
3
Blocks
0
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
6
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballRS
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