Volleyball Picked First in American; Four Owls Named Preseason All-Conference
8/19/2025 10:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
HOUSTON — The Rice volleyball team was picked to win the American Conference, the league announced Tuesday morning, and a conference-high four Owls were selected to the Preseason All-Conference Team.
The Owls earned nine of 13 first-place votes, and 141 votes overall, taking the top spot by just five votes over second-place South Florida.
"Well, I always think these rankings are exciting to see, but they really don't matter," said Rice Head Coach Genny Volpe. "We have to earn everything, and I'm confident this team knows this. Having said that, I am excited about this group. We have a really great mix of transfer talent, seasoned returners, and three really strong freshmen. Every year we are losing key players, but I am proud of how we have recruited to continue to build this program. One thing I know is that our preseason schedule is definitely going to prepare us for the battle of the American. We can't wait to get out on the competition floor and begin the season with an amazing match against a very talented Texas A&M team on Aug. 29th."
Senior middle blocker Lademi Ogunlana, senior outside hitter Taylor Preston, sophomore setter Savannah Skopal, and junior outside hitter Cindy Tchouangwa were all named to the American Preseason All-Conference team. It's the second time in the last three years that four players earned the honor.
Ogunlana had a breakout campaign last year, culminating in First Team All-Conference and AVCA All-Southwest Region Honorable Mention honors. She finished the season with a career-high 199 kills, the third most on the team, and 2.24 kills per set. She hit .395, which ranked in the top-30 in Division I. Ogunlana also posted a career-high 79 blocks with 18 solo and 61 assists blocks and scored 257.5 points with 2.89 points pert set.
Preston comes to South Main after spending last year at Michigan State, where she was second on the team with 305 kills and 2.85 kills per set. She added 139 digs and 47 blocks. Her 346.5 points were second on the Spartans. Preston also earned Big Ten Sportsmanship honors.
Skopal earned Second Team All-Conference honors and was a unanimous selection to the All-Freshman Team. One of three Owls to start all 27 matches, she tallied a team-high 955 assists and 9.65 assists. She had three separate matches where she posted 50+ assists, including two with 61, and notched seven double-doubles.
Tchouangwa Played in 58 sets across 16 matches last year, making 14 starts before being sidelined with an injury. She posted career-highs in kills (19), attempts (44), digs (11), points (20), and posted her first double-double in a victory over Tulane on Sept. 27. She also recorded double-digit kills in 12 of the 16 matches.
The Owls, who are receiving votes in the AVCA Preseason Poll, host Houston in an exhibition this Saturday, Aug. 23, at 6 p.m., before opening the season with the Rice Invitational I on Aug. 29 against No. 9 Texas A&M. Rice will face six teams in the AVCA's Top 25, while Northern Iowa is receiving votes. It will also face eight teams that earned berths to last year's NCAA Tournament.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online here or by calling (713) 348-OWLS (6957) for further assistance.
The Owls earned nine of 13 first-place votes, and 141 votes overall, taking the top spot by just five votes over second-place South Florida.
"Well, I always think these rankings are exciting to see, but they really don't matter," said Rice Head Coach Genny Volpe. "We have to earn everything, and I'm confident this team knows this. Having said that, I am excited about this group. We have a really great mix of transfer talent, seasoned returners, and three really strong freshmen. Every year we are losing key players, but I am proud of how we have recruited to continue to build this program. One thing I know is that our preseason schedule is definitely going to prepare us for the battle of the American. We can't wait to get out on the competition floor and begin the season with an amazing match against a very talented Texas A&M team on Aug. 29th."
Senior middle blocker Lademi Ogunlana, senior outside hitter Taylor Preston, sophomore setter Savannah Skopal, and junior outside hitter Cindy Tchouangwa were all named to the American Preseason All-Conference team. It's the second time in the last three years that four players earned the honor.
Ogunlana had a breakout campaign last year, culminating in First Team All-Conference and AVCA All-Southwest Region Honorable Mention honors. She finished the season with a career-high 199 kills, the third most on the team, and 2.24 kills per set. She hit .395, which ranked in the top-30 in Division I. Ogunlana also posted a career-high 79 blocks with 18 solo and 61 assists blocks and scored 257.5 points with 2.89 points pert set.
Preston comes to South Main after spending last year at Michigan State, where she was second on the team with 305 kills and 2.85 kills per set. She added 139 digs and 47 blocks. Her 346.5 points were second on the Spartans. Preston also earned Big Ten Sportsmanship honors.
Skopal earned Second Team All-Conference honors and was a unanimous selection to the All-Freshman Team. One of three Owls to start all 27 matches, she tallied a team-high 955 assists and 9.65 assists. She had three separate matches where she posted 50+ assists, including two with 61, and notched seven double-doubles.
Tchouangwa Played in 58 sets across 16 matches last year, making 14 starts before being sidelined with an injury. She posted career-highs in kills (19), attempts (44), digs (11), points (20), and posted her first double-double in a victory over Tulane on Sept. 27. She also recorded double-digit kills in 12 of the 16 matches.
The Owls, who are receiving votes in the AVCA Preseason Poll, host Houston in an exhibition this Saturday, Aug. 23, at 6 p.m., before opening the season with the Rice Invitational I on Aug. 29 against No. 9 Texas A&M. Rice will face six teams in the AVCA's Top 25, while Northern Iowa is receiving votes. It will also face eight teams that earned berths to last year's NCAA Tournament.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online here or by calling (713) 348-OWLS (6957) for further assistance.
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's VolleyballRice vs. Central Arkansas Highlights
Sunday, August 31
Volleyball Exhibition vs. Houston Post-Match Press Conference
Sunday, August 24
VB Thea Carter Kick Save vs. Wichita State
Monday, August 18
2024 Night of the Owl End of Year Recap
Thursday, April 25