Sunday, October 5
Memphis, Tenn.
1 PM
Rice University
7-8,3-1American
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Memphis
9-9,1-3American
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Rice
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Memphis
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Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Owls Complete Weekend Sweep
10/5/2025 3:38:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Rice volleyball closed out the weekend with a 3-0 sweep of Memphis on Sunday at Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
Rice (7-8, 3-1 American) earned its second sweep of the weekend, holding Memphis (9-9, 1-3 American) to a .098 hitting percentage.
Taylor Preston led the Owls with 12 kills, while freshman Aaliyah Smith added 10. Arissa Smith and Kaia Mateo each recorded five blocks.
Mateo also led the team with 31 assists. Gaby Mansfield and Stephanie Gutierrez shared the team high in digs with 11 apiece.
Postgame Reaction – Head Coach Genny Volpe
"Proud of the team pulling out two sweeps on the road. This conference is tough, so any sweep is a sign you are doing something right. I thought Taylor Preston led this team all weekend and Kaia Mateo continues to connect and get stronger every time she's on the court."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Rice came out dominant in the opening set, outperforming Memphis across the board. The Owls posted an impressive .522 hitting percentage while holding the Tigers to just .087. Taylor Preston led the charge with six of Rice's 14 kills in the set, helping secure a strong start.
Second Set
Memphis responded early in the second set, jumping out to a 9-2 lead. However, Rice answered with a season-best 9-0 run, highlighted by Preston ace, to take an 11-9 lead. The set remained tightly contested before the Owls pulled away for a 25-21 win. A key factor in the set was the front-line defense, with Mateo and Arissa Smith combining for three blocks.
Third Set
The Owls once again took control early, sparked by a 4-0 run capped by a Lademi Ogunlana kill. Rice never trailed in the set, closing it out with a Kayla Patel kill for a 25-16 victory. Defensively, the Owls limited the Tigers to a .088 hitting percentage, while hitting .286 themselves to complete the sweep.
UP NEXT
Rice will host South Florida on Friday before traveling to UTSA on Sunday. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
Rice (7-8, 3-1 American) earned its second sweep of the weekend, holding Memphis (9-9, 1-3 American) to a .098 hitting percentage.
Taylor Preston led the Owls with 12 kills, while freshman Aaliyah Smith added 10. Arissa Smith and Kaia Mateo each recorded five blocks.
Mateo also led the team with 31 assists. Gaby Mansfield and Stephanie Gutierrez shared the team high in digs with 11 apiece.
Postgame Reaction – Head Coach Genny Volpe
"Proud of the team pulling out two sweeps on the road. This conference is tough, so any sweep is a sign you are doing something right. I thought Taylor Preston led this team all weekend and Kaia Mateo continues to connect and get stronger every time she's on the court."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Rice came out dominant in the opening set, outperforming Memphis across the board. The Owls posted an impressive .522 hitting percentage while holding the Tigers to just .087. Taylor Preston led the charge with six of Rice's 14 kills in the set, helping secure a strong start.
Second Set
Memphis responded early in the second set, jumping out to a 9-2 lead. However, Rice answered with a season-best 9-0 run, highlighted by Preston ace, to take an 11-9 lead. The set remained tightly contested before the Owls pulled away for a 25-21 win. A key factor in the set was the front-line defense, with Mateo and Arissa Smith combining for three blocks.
Third Set
The Owls once again took control early, sparked by a 4-0 run capped by a Lademi Ogunlana kill. Rice never trailed in the set, closing it out with a Kayla Patel kill for a 25-16 victory. Defensively, the Owls limited the Tigers to a .088 hitting percentage, while hitting .286 themselves to complete the sweep.
UP NEXT
Rice will host South Florida on Friday before traveling to UTSA on Sunday. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
Team Stats
Rice
Mem
Kills
44
26
Errors
13
17
Attempts
98
92
Hitting %
.316
.098
Points
58.0
39.0
Assists
39
26
Aces
8
6
Blocks
6
7
Game Leaders
Kills
12
Aces
3
Blocks
0
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
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