Wednesday, October 15
New Orleans, La.
6:30 PM
Rice University
10-8,6-1American
3
at
0
Tulane
9-9,1-6American
1
2
3
F
Rice
25
25
25
3
Tulane
21
23
16
0
Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Rice Secures Road Sweep Over Tulane
10/15/2025 9:37:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
NEW ORLEANS – The Rice volleyball team swept Tulane on Wednesday night at Devlin Fieldhouse.
Rice (10-8, 6-1 American) extended its sweep streak to six matches, outhitting Tulane (9-9, 1-6 American) .238 to .140.
Kaia Mateo recorded her third double-double of the season with a team-high 31 assists and 19 digs.
Taylor Preston once again led the Owls with 19 kills and a .395 hitting percentage.
Three Owls, Arissa Smith, Aaliyah Smith and Kellen Dorotik, each tallied four blocks.
Postgame Reaction – Head Coach Genny Volpe
"I thought our team did a really good job of just finding a way tonight. Our outsides Aaliyah Smith and Taylor Preston really stepped up and Gaby Mansfield was clutch in this win."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The opening set went back and forth as both teams traded points early. Taylor Preston continued to be the deciding factor with six kills in the frame. The Owls closed out the set on a block from Aaliyah and Arissa Smith to win the set 25-21. Rice held Tulane to a .109 hitting percentage.
Second Set
Rice opened the second set by scoring the first two points before Tulane tied it at 2-2. The Owls built momentum through a series of small runs, including a 6-0 burst to take a 21-16 lead, capped by a kill from Aaliyah Smith. Rice recorded four blocks in the set and hit .267 to take the frame 25-23.
Third Set
The Owls dominated the final set, taking it 25-16. Rice went on a late 6-0 run to pull away, with Preston leading the charge with five kills in the frame. The Owls held the Green Wave to a .077 hitting percentage to seal the sweep.
UP NEXT
Rice will host Wichita State on Sunday. First serve is set for 1 p.m. and the match will be streamed on ESPN+.
Rice (10-8, 6-1 American) extended its sweep streak to six matches, outhitting Tulane (9-9, 1-6 American) .238 to .140.
Kaia Mateo recorded her third double-double of the season with a team-high 31 assists and 19 digs.
Taylor Preston once again led the Owls with 19 kills and a .395 hitting percentage.
Three Owls, Arissa Smith, Aaliyah Smith and Kellen Dorotik, each tallied four blocks.
Postgame Reaction – Head Coach Genny Volpe
"I thought our team did a really good job of just finding a way tonight. Our outsides Aaliyah Smith and Taylor Preston really stepped up and Gaby Mansfield was clutch in this win."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The opening set went back and forth as both teams traded points early. Taylor Preston continued to be the deciding factor with six kills in the frame. The Owls closed out the set on a block from Aaliyah and Arissa Smith to win the set 25-21. Rice held Tulane to a .109 hitting percentage.
Second Set
Rice opened the second set by scoring the first two points before Tulane tied it at 2-2. The Owls built momentum through a series of small runs, including a 6-0 burst to take a 21-16 lead, capped by a kill from Aaliyah Smith. Rice recorded four blocks in the set and hit .267 to take the frame 25-23.
Third Set
The Owls dominated the final set, taking it 25-16. Rice went on a late 6-0 run to pull away, with Preston leading the charge with five kills in the frame. The Owls held the Green Wave to a .077 hitting percentage to seal the sweep.
UP NEXT
Rice will host Wichita State on Sunday. First serve is set for 1 p.m. and the match will be streamed on ESPN+.
Team Stats
Rice
Tulane
Kills
42
39
Errors
13
21
Attempts
122
129
Hitting %
.238
.140
Points
56.0
49.0
Assists
39
37
Aces
3
4
Blocks
11
6
Game Leaders
Kills
19
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
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