Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Four Owls Earn American Conference Weekly Honors
10/20/2025 3:05:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
IRVING –The Rice volleyball team had four Owls earn American Conference weekly honors following a 2-0 week in league play, the conference announced Monday.
Senior Taylor Preston was named Offensive Player of the Week, while freshman Aaliyah Smith earned Freshman of the Week honors. Kaia Mateo and Gaby Mansfield each received honorable mention recognition.
Preston finished the week with 44 kills, averaging 5.5 per set, while hitting .322. She also totaled four blocks and ranks second in the conference this season with 4.30 kills per set.
Smith appeared in all eight sets, recording 24 kills and a .219 hitting percentage. She added five blocks, including four at Tulane, and totaled 27.5 points on the week.
Mateo earned honorable mention for the third straight week after posting 88 assists, averaging 11 per set. She tied for the second-most digs in the conference last week with 38 and added two aces and four blocks.
Mansfield had a strong defensive performance, finishing with 38 digs (4.75 per set) and 10 assists over the two matches.
The Owls will host UTSA and Tulane this weekend. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+.
Senior Taylor Preston was named Offensive Player of the Week, while freshman Aaliyah Smith earned Freshman of the Week honors. Kaia Mateo and Gaby Mansfield each received honorable mention recognition.
Preston finished the week with 44 kills, averaging 5.5 per set, while hitting .322. She also totaled four blocks and ranks second in the conference this season with 4.30 kills per set.
Smith appeared in all eight sets, recording 24 kills and a .219 hitting percentage. She added five blocks, including four at Tulane, and totaled 27.5 points on the week.
Mateo earned honorable mention for the third straight week after posting 88 assists, averaging 11 per set. She tied for the second-most digs in the conference last week with 38 and added two aces and four blocks.
Mansfield had a strong defensive performance, finishing with 38 digs (4.75 per set) and 10 assists over the two matches.
The Owls will host UTSA and Tulane this weekend. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
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