Rice University Athletics
Sunday, October 11
Houston, Texas
1 PM
Rice University
10-8,4-2American
3
vs
1
Memphis
6-11,1-5American
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 15 | 25 | 17 | 16 | 1 |
| Rice | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Owls Close Weekend with Win Over Memphis
10/11/2026 4:57:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HOUSTON — Rice volleyball closed the weekend with a 3-1 win over Memphis on Sunday afternoon at Tudor Fieldhouse.
The Owls (10-8, 4-2 American) won by set scores of 25-15, 22-25, 25-17 and 25-16. Rice hit .351 for the match while holding Memphis to a .236 hitting percentage.
Sydnee Peterson led the Owls with 19 kills, while Stephanie Gutierrez and Arissa Smith added 13 kills apiece. Jordan Hummel recorded a team-high 24 digs, and Savannah Skopal finished with a match-high 49 assists.
Kellen Dorotik recorded a career-high five blocks. Smith hit a match-high .600 and also finished with five blocks.
Postgame Reaction - Head Coach Genny Volpe
"I'm just really proud of our team for making adjustments today against a very tough Memphis team. Savannah ran a very efficient offense utilizing our middles and Sydnee Peterson really took control of the match on the outside. Jordan had a great match as well keeping us in system."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Rice claimed the opening point on a kill by Smith before using a 4-0 run to take an 11-5 lead, capped by back-to-back kills from Dorotik. The Owls maintained their advantage throughout the set and closed it with a 5-0 run to win 25-15 on another kill by Dorotik.
Second Set
Rice scored the opening point before Memphis responded with a 6-1 run to take a 6-2 lead and force an Owls timeout. Rice rallied with a 4-0 run to take a 15-14 lead at the media timeout. The teams traded points before Memphis closed the set with a 5-0 run to win 25-22.
Third Set
After the teams traded points early, Rice pulled ahead with a 5-1 run to take a 13-9 lead, capped by a kill from Peterson. The Owls led 15-11 at the media timeout before extending their advantage with a 3-0 run, capped by a kill from Smith, to go up 21-15. Rice hit .441 in the set and secured the 25-17 win.
Fourth Set
Rice controlled the final set, hitting .467 while holding Memphis to a .286 hitting percentage. The Owls opened with a 5-0 run capped by a kill from Peterson and carried a 15-8 lead into the media timeout after four additional kills from Peterson. Rice continued to build its advantage, reaching a 24-16 lead before Smith delivered the match-winning kill for a 25-16 victory.
UP NEXT
Rice will hit the road to face Tulsa and Wichita St. on Friday and Sunday with both matches being streamed on ESPN+.
The Owls (10-8, 4-2 American) won by set scores of 25-15, 22-25, 25-17 and 25-16. Rice hit .351 for the match while holding Memphis to a .236 hitting percentage.
Sydnee Peterson led the Owls with 19 kills, while Stephanie Gutierrez and Arissa Smith added 13 kills apiece. Jordan Hummel recorded a team-high 24 digs, and Savannah Skopal finished with a match-high 49 assists.
Kellen Dorotik recorded a career-high five blocks. Smith hit a match-high .600 and also finished with five blocks.
Postgame Reaction - Head Coach Genny Volpe
"I'm just really proud of our team for making adjustments today against a very tough Memphis team. Savannah ran a very efficient offense utilizing our middles and Sydnee Peterson really took control of the match on the outside. Jordan had a great match as well keeping us in system."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Rice claimed the opening point on a kill by Smith before using a 4-0 run to take an 11-5 lead, capped by back-to-back kills from Dorotik. The Owls maintained their advantage throughout the set and closed it with a 5-0 run to win 25-15 on another kill by Dorotik.
Second Set
Rice scored the opening point before Memphis responded with a 6-1 run to take a 6-2 lead and force an Owls timeout. Rice rallied with a 4-0 run to take a 15-14 lead at the media timeout. The teams traded points before Memphis closed the set with a 5-0 run to win 25-22.
Third Set
After the teams traded points early, Rice pulled ahead with a 5-1 run to take a 13-9 lead, capped by a kill from Peterson. The Owls led 15-11 at the media timeout before extending their advantage with a 3-0 run, capped by a kill from Smith, to go up 21-15. Rice hit .441 in the set and secured the 25-17 win.
Fourth Set
Rice controlled the final set, hitting .467 while holding Memphis to a .286 hitting percentage. The Owls opened with a 5-0 run capped by a kill from Peterson and carried a 15-8 lead into the media timeout after four additional kills from Peterson. Rice continued to build its advantage, reaching a 24-16 lead before Smith delivered the match-winning kill for a 25-16 victory.
UP NEXT
Rice will hit the road to face Tulsa and Wichita St. on Friday and Sunday with both matches being streamed on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
Opp
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballTeam Stats
Mem
Rice
Kills
48
60
Errors
18
13
Attempts
127
134
Hitting %
.236
.351
Points
55.0
74.0
Assists
46
57
Aces
2
6
Blocks
5
8
Game Leaders
Kills
19
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
13
Aces
2
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
5
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