Friday, October 10
Houston, Texas
6 PM
Rice University
8-8,4-1American
3
vs
0
South Florida
8-8,4-1American
1
2
3
F
South Fla.
20
22
19
0
Rice
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Owls Sweep Conference-Unbeaten Bulls
10/10/2025 8:53:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HOUSTON — The Rice volleyball team handed South Florida its first American Conference loss of the season with a straight-sets victory on Friday at Tudor Fieldhouse.
Rice (8-8, 4-1 American) limited South Florida (8-8, 4-1 American) to a .186 hitting percentage while posting a .296 mark of its own in the sweep.
Taylor Preston led the Owls with 12 kills, while Arissa Smith and Aaliyah Smith added eight apiece.
Kaia Mateo paced the offense with 28 assists and contributed three blocks, and Gaby Mansfield recorded a team-high 15 digs.
Postgame Reaction – Head Coach Genny Volpe
"I'm really proud of the team. We came out with a strong sense of purpose and just swept a very good South Florida team. We had a solid game plan, and I believe the team executed it well. It wasn't always perfect volleyball; both sides competed hard, but we came out on the right side of it. Credit to South Florida, they're a strong team, it was a great match and high-level volleyball."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The opening set was tightly contested early before Rice went on a 5-0 run to take control. The teams traded points for much of the remainder, but the Owls held firm to win the set, 25-20. Rice hit .294 while holding South Florida to a .190 mark. Freshman Aaliyah Smith led the team with four kills in the first set.
Second Set
The second set followed a similar pattern, staying close until a 7-0 Rice run, highlighted by two kills and two blocks from Arissa Smith, gave the Owls separation. Rice extended its lead to 20-14, capped by a lengthy rally that saw Darby Harris send the ball over from near the Rice bench to make it 21-14. South Florida mounted a late push, but Rice closed out the set, 25-22. The Owls hit .333 in the frame.
Third Set
Rice opened the third with a 2-0 lead before South Florida tied it at 3-3. A 4-0 Rice run forced a Bulls timeout at 10-6. Though the Bulls responded with a 5-0 stretch late to get within 23-19, back-to-back kills by Arissa Smith sealed the sweep with a 25-19 win. The Owls held South Florida to a match-low .114 hitting percentage and recorded three blocks in the final set.
UP NEXT
Rice will close out the weekend at UTSA. First serve is at 1 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
Rice (8-8, 4-1 American) limited South Florida (8-8, 4-1 American) to a .186 hitting percentage while posting a .296 mark of its own in the sweep.
Taylor Preston led the Owls with 12 kills, while Arissa Smith and Aaliyah Smith added eight apiece.
Kaia Mateo paced the offense with 28 assists and contributed three blocks, and Gaby Mansfield recorded a team-high 15 digs.
"I'm really proud of the team. We came out with a strong sense of purpose and just swept a very good South Florida team. We had a solid game plan, and I believe the team executed it well. It wasn't always perfect volleyball; both sides competed hard, but we came out on the right side of it. Credit to South Florida, they're a strong team, it was a great match and high-level volleyball."
First Set
The opening set was tightly contested early before Rice went on a 5-0 run to take control. The teams traded points for much of the remainder, but the Owls held firm to win the set, 25-20. Rice hit .294 while holding South Florida to a .190 mark. Freshman Aaliyah Smith led the team with four kills in the first set.
Second Set
The second set followed a similar pattern, staying close until a 7-0 Rice run, highlighted by two kills and two blocks from Arissa Smith, gave the Owls separation. Rice extended its lead to 20-14, capped by a lengthy rally that saw Darby Harris send the ball over from near the Rice bench to make it 21-14. South Florida mounted a late push, but Rice closed out the set, 25-22. The Owls hit .333 in the frame.
Third Set
Rice opened the third with a 2-0 lead before South Florida tied it at 3-3. A 4-0 Rice run forced a Bulls timeout at 10-6. Though the Bulls responded with a 5-0 stretch late to get within 23-19, back-to-back kills by Arissa Smith sealed the sweep with a 25-19 win. The Owls held South Florida to a match-low .114 hitting percentage and recorded three blocks in the final set.
Rice will close out the weekend at UTSA. First serve is at 1 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
Team Stats
USF
Rice
Kills
42
40
Errors
20
11
Attempts
118
98
Hitting %
.186
.296
Points
47.0
51.0
Assists
38
34
Aces
2
2
Blocks
3
9
Game Leaders
Kills
12
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
1
Blocks
5
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
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