Sunday, October 19
Houston, Texas
1 PM
Rice University
11-8,7-1American
3
vs
2
Wichita State
13-7,5-3American
1
2
3
4
5
F
Wichita St.
25
22
22
25
10
2
Rice
23
25
25
20
15
3
Owls Extend Win Streak to Seven
10/19/2025 5:21:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HOUSTON – The Rice volleyball team went the distance to defeat Wichita State 3-2 on Sunday afternoon at Tudor Fieldhouse.
Rice (11-8, 7-1 American) extended its win streak to seven after edging the Shockers (13-7, 5-2 American) in five sets.
Kaia Mateo recorded her fourth double-double of the season with a career-high 57 assists and 19 digs.
Taylor Preston led the Owls' offense with 25 kills, while Aaliyah Smith and Lademi Ogunlana each added 14.
Gaby Mansfield anchored the back row with 22 digs, and Arissa Smith paced the defense at the net with a career-high 10 blocks.
Postgame Reaction – Head Coach Genny Volpe
"What a game. That was a fun match to be a part of as a coach. With all the ups and downs and some of the frustrations, that's just a really good team we beat. I give them a ton of credit, I think Wichita State is an elite team. They gave us a lot of problems defensively and showed great balance. I'm proud of how our team toughed it out. Preston really took over the match and showed why she's one of the best outside hitters in our league. Our back-row play picked up at the right time, they made key digs and big plays when it really mattered."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Rice opened the match with a quick 2-0 lead before Wichita State responded with a 4-0 run to get ahead 11-5. The Owls answered with an 8-1 run capped by a kill from freshman Aaliyah Smith to take a 16-15 lead. The teams traded points down the stretch, but the Shockers pulled out the set 25-23. Rice hit .244 in the frame with 15 kills.
Second Set
The Shockers jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, forcing a Rice timeout. The Owls responded with a 5-0 run, highlighted by a service ace from Preston to make it 8-7. Neither team could hold momentum until Rice closed the set on a 6-1 run, capped by a block from Lademi Ogunlana and Kellen Dorotik to reach set point at 24-17. Wichita State rallied late with a 6-0 run, but Rice held on to take the set 25-22.
Third Set
The third set was tightly contested throughout, with neither team able to create separation. Ogunlana and Preston led the charge with seven kills apiece as the Owls took the set 25-22. Rice hit .459 in the frame, their best percentage of the match.
Fourth Set
Much like the third, the fourth set saw several lead changes before the Shockers used a pair of 3-0 runs to gain control. Rice closed within 17-18, but Wichita State answered with a 5-0 run to take the set 25-20 and force a decisive fifth. The Owls hit .100 in the set, while the Shockers hit .209.
Fifth Set
The final frame began evenly before Rice took control with a 7-1 run to close out the match 15-10. Preston sealed the win with an ace and added three kills in the set. The Owls limited Wichita State to a .042 hitting percentage to secure the victory.
UP NEXT
Rice will host UTSA on Friday and Tulane on Sunday. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
Rice (11-8, 7-1 American) extended its win streak to seven after edging the Shockers (13-7, 5-2 American) in five sets.
Kaia Mateo recorded her fourth double-double of the season with a career-high 57 assists and 19 digs.
Taylor Preston led the Owls' offense with 25 kills, while Aaliyah Smith and Lademi Ogunlana each added 14.
Gaby Mansfield anchored the back row with 22 digs, and Arissa Smith paced the defense at the net with a career-high 10 blocks.
Postgame Reaction – Head Coach Genny Volpe
"What a game. That was a fun match to be a part of as a coach. With all the ups and downs and some of the frustrations, that's just a really good team we beat. I give them a ton of credit, I think Wichita State is an elite team. They gave us a lot of problems defensively and showed great balance. I'm proud of how our team toughed it out. Preston really took over the match and showed why she's one of the best outside hitters in our league. Our back-row play picked up at the right time, they made key digs and big plays when it really mattered."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Rice opened the match with a quick 2-0 lead before Wichita State responded with a 4-0 run to get ahead 11-5. The Owls answered with an 8-1 run capped by a kill from freshman Aaliyah Smith to take a 16-15 lead. The teams traded points down the stretch, but the Shockers pulled out the set 25-23. Rice hit .244 in the frame with 15 kills.
Second Set
The Shockers jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, forcing a Rice timeout. The Owls responded with a 5-0 run, highlighted by a service ace from Preston to make it 8-7. Neither team could hold momentum until Rice closed the set on a 6-1 run, capped by a block from Lademi Ogunlana and Kellen Dorotik to reach set point at 24-17. Wichita State rallied late with a 6-0 run, but Rice held on to take the set 25-22.
Third Set
The third set was tightly contested throughout, with neither team able to create separation. Ogunlana and Preston led the charge with seven kills apiece as the Owls took the set 25-22. Rice hit .459 in the frame, their best percentage of the match.
Fourth Set
Much like the third, the fourth set saw several lead changes before the Shockers used a pair of 3-0 runs to gain control. Rice closed within 17-18, but Wichita State answered with a 5-0 run to take the set 25-20 and force a decisive fifth. The Owls hit .100 in the set, while the Shockers hit .209.
Fifth Set
The final frame began evenly before Rice took control with a 7-1 run to close out the match 15-10. Preston sealed the win with an ace and added three kills in the set. The Owls limited Wichita State to a .042 hitting percentage to secure the victory.
UP NEXT
Rice will host UTSA on Friday and Tulane on Sunday. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
Team Stats
WSU
Rice
Kills
69
64
Errors
31
22
Attempts
191
173
Hitting %
.199
.243
Points
81.0
85.0
Assists
61
63
Aces
6
5
Blocks
6
16
Game Leaders
Kills
25
Aces
3
Blocks
3
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
10
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
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