Friday, September 12
Omaha, Neb.
4:30 PM
Rice University
0
vs
3
Northern Iowa
Rice Drops Bluejay Classic Opener to Northern Iowa
9/12/2025 7:56:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Omaha, Neb. — The Rice Volleyball dropped its opening match of the Bluejay Classic, falling, 3-0 (13-25, 24-26, 20-25), to Northern Iowa, Friday afternoon from Sokol Arena.
The Owls (2-4) hit .135 while Northern Iowa (4-3) hit .324. Senior outside hitter Taylor Preston led the team with a .350 hitting percentage on 16 kills, while adding six digs. Freshman outside hitter Kellen Dorotik had five kills, and junior middle blocker hit .333 on three-of-six attempts.
Junior setter Kaia Mateo had a match-high 23 assists and added seven digs. Senior defensive specialist had a team-high 10 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The teams both started strong, splitting the first 10 points. But, UNI scored the next six points. The Owls pulled within four, but Northern Iowa scored five straight to take a 16-7 advantage. After two straight points by the Owls, the teams traded the next six points. However, the Panthers closed on a 6-1 run to take the set, 25-13. UNI hit .259 for the set, while Rice was held to -.125
Second Set
Rice took its first lead of the match at 3-2. The Panthers then went on a 10-3 run, taking a 12-6 lead. But the Owls began to chip away. Rice scored seven of the next 11 points to pull within two. UNI pushed its lead to 20-15. However, a kill by Mateo sent Rice on a 6-1 run to tie the set at 21. The teams split the next six points, but two straight Panther kills gave them the set, 26-24. Preston had eight kills and hit .400 for the set. Rice hit .350, but Northern Iowa hit .429.
Third Set
Rice jumped out to a 6-5 lead to open the set, but nine straight Northern Iowa points put them in a 14-6 hole. A kill by Aaliyah Smith was the first Rice scoring four of the next five points. But two straight from UNI pushed its lead to 17-10. Kills by Preston and Arissa Smith helped the Owls go on a 4-1 run to get within 18-15. However, the Panthers scored five of the next seven. Three straight Rice points forced a Northern Iowa timeout. However, two consecutive Rice attack errors closed out the match, as UNI took the set, 25-20. Northern Iowa outhit the Owls, .262-to-.125, and Preston hit .312 on seven kills.
Up Next
Rice continues the Bluejay Classic tomorrow against host No. 18 Creighton. First serve is scheduled for 4 p.m., and the match will be streamed at ESPN+.
The Owls (2-4) hit .135 while Northern Iowa (4-3) hit .324. Senior outside hitter Taylor Preston led the team with a .350 hitting percentage on 16 kills, while adding six digs. Freshman outside hitter Kellen Dorotik had five kills, and junior middle blocker hit .333 on three-of-six attempts.
Junior setter Kaia Mateo had a match-high 23 assists and added seven digs. Senior defensive specialist had a team-high 10 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The teams both started strong, splitting the first 10 points. But, UNI scored the next six points. The Owls pulled within four, but Northern Iowa scored five straight to take a 16-7 advantage. After two straight points by the Owls, the teams traded the next six points. However, the Panthers closed on a 6-1 run to take the set, 25-13. UNI hit .259 for the set, while Rice was held to -.125
Second Set
Rice took its first lead of the match at 3-2. The Panthers then went on a 10-3 run, taking a 12-6 lead. But the Owls began to chip away. Rice scored seven of the next 11 points to pull within two. UNI pushed its lead to 20-15. However, a kill by Mateo sent Rice on a 6-1 run to tie the set at 21. The teams split the next six points, but two straight Panther kills gave them the set, 26-24. Preston had eight kills and hit .400 for the set. Rice hit .350, but Northern Iowa hit .429.
Third Set
Rice jumped out to a 6-5 lead to open the set, but nine straight Northern Iowa points put them in a 14-6 hole. A kill by Aaliyah Smith was the first Rice scoring four of the next five points. But two straight from UNI pushed its lead to 17-10. Kills by Preston and Arissa Smith helped the Owls go on a 4-1 run to get within 18-15. However, the Panthers scored five of the next seven. Three straight Rice points forced a Northern Iowa timeout. However, two consecutive Rice attack errors closed out the match, as UNI took the set, 25-20. Northern Iowa outhit the Owls, .262-to-.125, and Preston hit .312 on seven kills.
Up Next
Rice continues the Bluejay Classic tomorrow against host No. 18 Creighton. First serve is scheduled for 4 p.m., and the match will be streamed at ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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