Saturday, September 13
Omaha, Neb.
4 PM
Rice University
2-5,0-0American
0
at
3
Creighton
4-4,0-0Big East
1
2
3
F
Rice
16
19
18
0
Creighton
25
25
25
3
Owls Fall to No. 18 Creighton at Bluejay Classic
9/13/2025 8:04:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Omaha, Neb. — The Rice Volleyball fell at No. 18 Creighton, 3-0 (16-25, 19-25, 18-25), in the second match of the Bluejay Classic, Saturday afternoon from Sokol Arena.
The Owls (2-5) hit .196 while Creighton (4-4) hit .349. Senior outside hitter Taylor Preston led the team with 12 kills, and added seven digs. Senior middle blocker Lademi Ogunlana had five kills and led the team with .250 hitting percentage. Freshman outside hitter Kellen Dorotik had five kills.
Sophomore setter Savannah Skopal had team-highs of 25 assists and eight digs. Senior defensive specialist Gaby Mansfield also had eight digs.
Postgame Reaction – Head Coach Genny Volpe
"A loss is always tough, but I do think we competed hard and played some really good volleyball against another quality Top 20 team. We talked yesterday about how our performance was not up to our standard regardless of the outcome, and I think we responded really well today. We had multiple people contributing on offense and our defense was much stronger and locked in today. This team is being challenged a ton in the preseason and we will continue to battle tomorrow against a Top Five team in Louisville."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Creighton started hot, jumping out to a 7-1 advantage. The teams split the next five points, but CU scored seven of the next 11. Two Creighton errors brought Rice within six, but four straight Bluejay points made it 20-10. Rice pulled within seven, but after the teams traded points, Creighton closed out the set, 25-16. The Bluejays outhit Rice, .303-to-.116. Dorotik lead the Owls with three kills and a .286 hitting percentage.
Second Set
Creighton opened the second set taking a 6-2 lead. The Owls answered with a 6-2 run of their own to tie the set at eight. After the Bluejays scored three straight, the Owls scored on an attack error and a kill by Arissa Smith. But, CU went on a 6-1 run to grab a 17-11 lead. A kill by Preston made it a four-point deficit. But after two straight Creighton points, the teams traded points the rest of the way, with CU taking the set, 25-19. Preston led the Owls with five kills and a .364 hitting percentage. The Bluejay outhit Rice, .279-to-.171.
Third Set
The Owls started the set strong, matching Creighton point-for-point. With the match tied at seven, Rice Preston started a 4-1 run that gave Rice an 11-8 lead. The teams split the next six points. However, with the Owls holding a 14-11 lead, the Bluejays went on a, 11-2 run. Rice brought the deficit to five points, but Creighton closed it out, taking the set and the match, 25-18. Rice hit .303 in the set, but Creighton hit .485. Preston had six kills and a .385 hitting percentage, and Aaliyah Smith added four kills.
Up Next
Rice closes the Bluejay Classic tomorrow against No. 4 Louisville. First serve is scheduled for 12 p.m., and the match will be streamed on YouTube.
The Owls (2-5) hit .196 while Creighton (4-4) hit .349. Senior outside hitter Taylor Preston led the team with 12 kills, and added seven digs. Senior middle blocker Lademi Ogunlana had five kills and led the team with .250 hitting percentage. Freshman outside hitter Kellen Dorotik had five kills.
Sophomore setter Savannah Skopal had team-highs of 25 assists and eight digs. Senior defensive specialist Gaby Mansfield also had eight digs.
Postgame Reaction – Head Coach Genny Volpe
"A loss is always tough, but I do think we competed hard and played some really good volleyball against another quality Top 20 team. We talked yesterday about how our performance was not up to our standard regardless of the outcome, and I think we responded really well today. We had multiple people contributing on offense and our defense was much stronger and locked in today. This team is being challenged a ton in the preseason and we will continue to battle tomorrow against a Top Five team in Louisville."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Creighton started hot, jumping out to a 7-1 advantage. The teams split the next five points, but CU scored seven of the next 11. Two Creighton errors brought Rice within six, but four straight Bluejay points made it 20-10. Rice pulled within seven, but after the teams traded points, Creighton closed out the set, 25-16. The Bluejays outhit Rice, .303-to-.116. Dorotik lead the Owls with three kills and a .286 hitting percentage.
Second Set
Creighton opened the second set taking a 6-2 lead. The Owls answered with a 6-2 run of their own to tie the set at eight. After the Bluejays scored three straight, the Owls scored on an attack error and a kill by Arissa Smith. But, CU went on a 6-1 run to grab a 17-11 lead. A kill by Preston made it a four-point deficit. But after two straight Creighton points, the teams traded points the rest of the way, with CU taking the set, 25-19. Preston led the Owls with five kills and a .364 hitting percentage. The Bluejay outhit Rice, .279-to-.171.
Third Set
The Owls started the set strong, matching Creighton point-for-point. With the match tied at seven, Rice Preston started a 4-1 run that gave Rice an 11-8 lead. The teams split the next six points. However, with the Owls holding a 14-11 lead, the Bluejays went on a, 11-2 run. Rice brought the deficit to five points, but Creighton closed it out, taking the set and the match, 25-18. Rice hit .303 in the set, but Creighton hit .485. Preston had six kills and a .385 hitting percentage, and Aaliyah Smith added four kills.
Up Next
Rice closes the Bluejay Classic tomorrow against No. 4 Louisville. First serve is scheduled for 12 p.m., and the match will be streamed on YouTube.
Team Stats
Rice
CU
Kills
31
47
Errors
11
9
Attempts
102
109
Hitting %
.196
.349
Points
36.5
62.0
Assists
29
43
Aces
2
10
Blocks
3.5
5
Game Leaders
Kills
12
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
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