Friday, November 7
Houston, Texas
6 PM
Rice University
16-8,12-1American
3
vs
0
North Texas
19-7,9-4American
1
2
3
F
North Texas
23
14
22
0
Rice
25
25
25
3
Owls Stay Hot with Win Over North Texas
11/7/2025 9:29:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HOUSTON – The Rice volleyball team extended its winning streak to 12 with a 3-0 sweep of North Texas on Friday at Tudor Fieldhouse.
Rice (16-8, 12-1 American) held North Texas (19-7, 9-4 American) to a .087 hitting percentage.
Kellen Dorotik led the Owls with 14 kills on a .500 hitting percentage, while Taylor Preston added 10.
Kaia Mateo paced the offense with 33 assists, and Darby Harris recorded her 1,000th career assist in the match. Gaby Mansfield notched 20 digs, and Arissa Smith posted five blocks.
Postgame Reaction – Head Coach Genny Volpe
"That was a tough match and a gritty win for our team. North Texas put up a strong defense and made us uncomfortable. They fought hard, and the first set was key. I thought North Texas came in with a strong game plan and executed it really well. It took us a while to find our offensive rhythm. We never fully got into it, but I'm really proud of Kellen for stepping up offensively and being a go-to hitter for us."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The opening frame stayed close early, with North Texas leading until a 4-0 Rice run tied the score at 15 on an Aaliyah Smith kill. The Owls went on a 5-1 run to close out the set 25-23. Both teams hit under .100, with the Mean Green finishing at .061 and the Owls at .087.
Second Set
Rice controlled the second set from the start, taking a 7-4 lead when Harris tallied her 1,000th career assist. A 4-0 Rice run capped by a Mansfield service ace pushed the advantage to 17-9, and another 4-0 burst closed the set 25-14. The Owls hit .219 in the frame while holding North Texas to a -.029 mark.
Third Set
Rice jumped out to a 4-2 lead before North Texas briefly went ahead 10-9 — its final lead of the set. A Dorotik kill tied it at 10 and sparked a 4-1 Rice run, capped by a Preston kill. The Mean Green tied it a few more times, but the Owls pulled away late to win 25-22 and complete the sweep. Rice hit .304 in the final set.
UP NEXT
Rice will close out its 2025 home season Sunday at 1 p.m. against Florida Atlantic. The match will stream on ESPN+.
Rice (16-8, 12-1 American) held North Texas (19-7, 9-4 American) to a .087 hitting percentage.
Kellen Dorotik led the Owls with 14 kills on a .500 hitting percentage, while Taylor Preston added 10.
Kaia Mateo paced the offense with 33 assists, and Darby Harris recorded her 1,000th career assist in the match. Gaby Mansfield notched 20 digs, and Arissa Smith posted five blocks.
Postgame Reaction – Head Coach Genny Volpe
"That was a tough match and a gritty win for our team. North Texas put up a strong defense and made us uncomfortable. They fought hard, and the first set was key. I thought North Texas came in with a strong game plan and executed it really well. It took us a while to find our offensive rhythm. We never fully got into it, but I'm really proud of Kellen for stepping up offensively and being a go-to hitter for us."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The opening frame stayed close early, with North Texas leading until a 4-0 Rice run tied the score at 15 on an Aaliyah Smith kill. The Owls went on a 5-1 run to close out the set 25-23. Both teams hit under .100, with the Mean Green finishing at .061 and the Owls at .087.
Second Set
Rice controlled the second set from the start, taking a 7-4 lead when Harris tallied her 1,000th career assist. A 4-0 Rice run capped by a Mansfield service ace pushed the advantage to 17-9, and another 4-0 burst closed the set 25-14. The Owls hit .219 in the frame while holding North Texas to a -.029 mark.
Third Set
Rice jumped out to a 4-2 lead before North Texas briefly went ahead 10-9 — its final lead of the set. A Dorotik kill tied it at 10 and sparked a 4-1 Rice run, capped by a Preston kill. The Mean Green tied it a few more times, but the Owls pulled away late to win 25-22 and complete the sweep. Rice hit .304 in the final set.
UP NEXT
Rice will close out its 2025 home season Sunday at 1 p.m. against Florida Atlantic. The match will stream on ESPN+.
Team Stats
UNT
Rice
Kills
34
43
Errors
23
18
Attempts
127
124
Hitting %
.087
.202
Points
43.0
54.0
Assists
33
38
Aces
3
3
Blocks
6
8
Game Leaders
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballVB: Rice-Texas Postgame Presser
Saturday, December 04
VB: Rice-San Diego Postgame Presser
Thursday, December 02