Rice University Athletics
Saturday, September 12
Houston, Texas
4 PM
Rice University
5-3,0-0American
0
vs
3
UNI
4-4,0-0MVC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNI | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Rice | 18 | 20 | 23 | 0 |
Owls Fall in Tight Battle with UNI
9/12/2026 7:16:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HOUSTON — Rice volleyball fell 3-0 to Northern Iowa on day two of the Rice Invitational II at Tudor Fieldhouse.
The Owls (5-3) were unable to secure a set, falling 25-18, 25-20, 25-23. Rice hit .173 in the match, while UNI hit .310.
Sydnee Peterson recorded her third double-double of the season, leading the Owls with 11 kills and 11 digs. Mari Furoyama led the defense with a career-high 24 digs.
Kaia Mateo paced the offense with 16 assists. Freshman Zora Bello added 12 digs, and Stephanie Gutierrez led the team with three blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
UNI opened the match with a 3-0 run before Rice settled in. The two teams traded points throughout the set, with the Owls pulling within two. Rice remained within striking distance, but the Panthers closed out the set, 25-18.
Second Set
The Owls came out strong in the second set, opening with a 3-0 run with all three points coming from Kellen Dorotik. Rice continued to build momentum, taking a 7-3 lead on a block by Mateo and Gutierrez. UNI responded with a pair of runs to take the lead, but Rice answered with a 3-0 run capped by a Dorotik kill to regain a 12-10 advantage. The Owls attempted to hold off a late surge from the Panthers, but UNI pulled away to take the set, 25-20.
Third Set
The Panthers opened the final set with another 3-0 run, but the Owls quickly answered. Rice later put together a 6-0 run, capped by a block from Bello and Arissa Smith, to take the lead. The Owls held the advantage until UNI tied the set at 20-20. The teams traded points down the stretch before the Panthers clinched the match with a 25-23 set victory. Peterson recorded six kills in the set, while Rice hit .208.
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE – YouTube
UP NEXT
Rice will close out the Rice Invitational II on Sunday against No. 15 Creighton. The match will start at 2:30 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
The Owls (5-3) were unable to secure a set, falling 25-18, 25-20, 25-23. Rice hit .173 in the match, while UNI hit .310.
Sydnee Peterson recorded her third double-double of the season, leading the Owls with 11 kills and 11 digs. Mari Furoyama led the defense with a career-high 24 digs.
Kaia Mateo paced the offense with 16 assists. Freshman Zora Bello added 12 digs, and Stephanie Gutierrez led the team with three blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
UNI opened the match with a 3-0 run before Rice settled in. The two teams traded points throughout the set, with the Owls pulling within two. Rice remained within striking distance, but the Panthers closed out the set, 25-18.
Second Set
The Owls came out strong in the second set, opening with a 3-0 run with all three points coming from Kellen Dorotik. Rice continued to build momentum, taking a 7-3 lead on a block by Mateo and Gutierrez. UNI responded with a pair of runs to take the lead, but Rice answered with a 3-0 run capped by a Dorotik kill to regain a 12-10 advantage. The Owls attempted to hold off a late surge from the Panthers, but UNI pulled away to take the set, 25-20.
Third Set
The Panthers opened the final set with another 3-0 run, but the Owls quickly answered. Rice later put together a 6-0 run, capped by a block from Bello and Arissa Smith, to take the lead. The Owls held the advantage until UNI tied the set at 20-20. The teams traded points down the stretch before the Panthers clinched the match with a 25-23 set victory. Peterson recorded six kills in the set, while Rice hit .208.
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE – YouTube
UP NEXT
Rice will close out the Rice Invitational II on Sunday against No. 15 Creighton. The match will start at 2:30 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
S
/ Women's Volleyball
Opp
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballTeam Stats
UNI
Rice
Kills
50
39
Errors
11
16
Attempts
126
133
Hitting %
.310
.173
Points
63.0
45.0
Assists
46
36
Aces
3
1
Blocks
10
5
Game Leaders
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Saturday, December 04
Thursday, December 02