Saturday, September 16
Manhattan, KS
12 p.m.
Rice University
6-4,0-0AAC
3
at
0
Kansas State
6-3,0-0Big 12
1
2
3
F
Rice
25
25
25
3
Kansas St.
15
23
21
0
Rice Knocks Off Kansas State in Straight Sets to Win K-State Invitational
9/16/2023 3:19:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Manhattan, Kan. – The Rice Volleyball team picked up an impressive 3-0 sweep (25-15, 25-23, 25-21) over Kansas State to win the K-State Invitational, Saturday afternoon at Morgan Family Arena.
The Owls (6-4) had a .231 hitting percentage while holding Kansas State (6-3) to just .079. Senior outside hitter Danyle Courtley hit .404 while recording a career-high 23 kills. She also added five digs and three blocks on her way to being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Senior outside hitter Sahara Maruska recorded her second straight double-double with season-highs of 11 kills and 20 digs. Sophomore setter Darby Harris had her fourth double-double of the year with 23 assists and 15 digs.
Defensively, senior libero Nia McCardell who was named to the All-Tournament Team along with graduate student Satasha Kostelecky, had 15 digs while tying a career-high with eight assists.
Postgame Reaction – Head Coach Genny Volpe
"Today we played a solid match against a really good Kansas State team on the road. I'm proud of our state of mind more than anything. Yesterday's win was not the cleanest match, and we learned from it and moved forward. I'm continuously impressed with Danyle (Courtley) and her execution in key moments. Nia (McCardell) is also a dominant force in the back row and really leading our defense. This was a total team win and great momentum moving into conference play."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Rice used a big run midway through the set on its way to a 25-15 win. The teams battled to start the set. Trailing 8-6, the Owls used an 11-0 run to take control of the set. Rice held the Wildcats at bay, not allowing them to get closer than seven points. Courtley had five kills (.267 hitting) and Maruska hit .667 on four-of-six hitting.
Second Set
Rice took a close second set, 25-23. The Owls jumped out to an 8-2 lead, but K-State used their own 8-2 run to tie it at 10. The went back up 16-13. However, five straight points gave Kansas State its first lead of the set. The teams battled back-and-forth before Rice, trailing 23-22, closed it with three straight points. Courtley hit an astonishing .786 (12 kills/14 attempts) in the set.
Third Set
Rice closed the match with a 25-21 win. It again got off to a hot start, jumping out to a 9-2 lead. Kansas State cut it to 9-8 on a 6-0 run. After trading points, the Owls used a 5-0 run to take a 19-13 lead. K-State cut the deficit to three before Rice closed it out. Courtley led all players with six kills in the set.
UP NEXT
Rice returns home for its first-ever American Athletic Conference match this Wednesday, September 20, when it hosts UAB. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Owls (6-4) had a .231 hitting percentage while holding Kansas State (6-3) to just .079. Senior outside hitter Danyle Courtley hit .404 while recording a career-high 23 kills. She also added five digs and three blocks on her way to being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Senior outside hitter Sahara Maruska recorded her second straight double-double with season-highs of 11 kills and 20 digs. Sophomore setter Darby Harris had her fourth double-double of the year with 23 assists and 15 digs.
Defensively, senior libero Nia McCardell who was named to the All-Tournament Team along with graduate student Satasha Kostelecky, had 15 digs while tying a career-high with eight assists.
"Today we played a solid match against a really good Kansas State team on the road. I'm proud of our state of mind more than anything. Yesterday's win was not the cleanest match, and we learned from it and moved forward. I'm continuously impressed with Danyle (Courtley) and her execution in key moments. Nia (McCardell) is also a dominant force in the back row and really leading our defense. This was a total team win and great momentum moving into conference play."
First Set
Rice used a big run midway through the set on its way to a 25-15 win. The teams battled to start the set. Trailing 8-6, the Owls used an 11-0 run to take control of the set. Rice held the Wildcats at bay, not allowing them to get closer than seven points. Courtley had five kills (.267 hitting) and Maruska hit .667 on four-of-six hitting.
Second Set
Rice took a close second set, 25-23. The Owls jumped out to an 8-2 lead, but K-State used their own 8-2 run to tie it at 10. The went back up 16-13. However, five straight points gave Kansas State its first lead of the set. The teams battled back-and-forth before Rice, trailing 23-22, closed it with three straight points. Courtley hit an astonishing .786 (12 kills/14 attempts) in the set.
Third Set
Rice closed the match with a 25-21 win. It again got off to a hot start, jumping out to a 9-2 lead. Kansas State cut it to 9-8 on a 6-0 run. After trading points, the Owls used a 5-0 run to take a 19-13 lead. K-State cut the deficit to three before Rice closed it out. Courtley led all players with six kills in the set.
UP NEXT
Rice returns home for its first-ever American Athletic Conference match this Wednesday, September 20, when it hosts UAB. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be streamed by ESPN+.
-RiceOwls.com-
Team Stats
Rice
KState
Kills
47
35
Errors
16
24
Attempts
134
140
Hitting %
.231
.079
Points
63.0
47.0
Assists
45
35
Aces
2
2
Blocks
14
10
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
23
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
11
Aces
2
Blocks
2
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
3
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
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