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October 12, 2007 > Sports > Volleyball’s road struggles continue

Volleyball’s road struggles continue

By Natalie Clericuzio | Thresher staff

In two hotly contested matches last weekend, the volleyball team beat its opponents in nearly every category except one: points. Rice came up short in two five-game matches on the road against Southern Methodist University and the University of Tulsa.

Tonight, the Owls (8-10, 3-3 Conference USA) will try to improve their conference record by taking on the University of Texas at El Paso at 7 p.m. in Fox Gym. The last-place Miners (6-12, 0-7 C-USA) struggled last season against the Owls, losing both matches. UTEP did not have much more success against the rest of the conference, failing to qualify for the C-USA tournament after going 2-14 in conference play and 7-25 on the season. The Miners are also currently ranked last in assists and second-to-last in kills.

On Sunday, Rice will continue its home stand playing Tulane University (17-4, 6-1 C-USA) at 1 p.m. in Fox Gym. The Green Wave has been dominant this season, winning its first five matches in conference play before falling last weekend to first-place Marshall University (13-7, 6-0 C-USA). Additionally, Tulane leads C-USA in kills, assists and hitting percentage.

Although SMU has not had as much success in C-USA as the Owls, Rice could not pull out the win despite winning nearly every major statistical battle.

The Owls came bursting out of the gates and took an early 9-2 lead, thanks in part to three kills by sophomore middle blocker Natalie Bogan. The Mustangs never caught up and Rice took the first game 30-20. However, SMU took the second game to even the score.

The third frame started out as a struggle for both squads, until eight consecutive points — ending with a service ace from freshman defensive stopper Tracey Lam — gave Rice a 14-8 lead. The Mustangs (12-8, 2-4 C-USA) would not give in, coming within three at 19-16. But the Owls held on thanks to two aces from Lam and one from junior outside hitter Jessica Holderness, winning 30-21.

The Owls looked to put away the match in game four, but SMU played nip-and-tuck throughout, pulling away to win 30-27, forcing a deciding fifth frame.

While neither team gained an early edge in the final game, SMU went on a decisive four-point run to take a lead they would not relinquish lead on the way to their 15-10 game five win.

Against the Mustangs, four Owls had double-digits in kills, including 18 from both Bogan and sophomore outside hitter Jennifer McClean. Rice played defensively as well, with five players in double-digits in digs. Lam and senior outside hitter Kristina Dennemann combined for 44 digs, showing why Rice’s defense is ranked 11th in the nation. Unfortunately, it was not quite enough for the win.

Rice’s defense was solid again two days later against the Golden Hurricane (16-5, 4-2 C-USA), posting a season-high 109 blocks, including 25 from Lam and 20 from McClean. Sophomore outside hitter Jessie Boulavsky broke her career record for blocks with six, along with six each from Bogan and freshman middle blocker Caroline Gill.

Both teams battled back and forth in the opening game. But with the score tied at 29, a quick kill from Bogan followed by an ace from McClean gave Rice the 31-29 win. The teams continued to trade points early in game two until the Golden Hurricane broke ahead to a 20-15 advantage. Unable to catch up, the Owls dropped the game 30-28.

After Tulsa took the third game, Rice evened the score at 2-2 with a 30-22 victory in the fourth game.

The Owls then appeared set to take the match, posting an 8-3 lead early in the fifth game. However, five straight Tulsa points tied the score at eight, and Rice was never able to regain momentum, falling 15-11.

Despite the two losses, head coach Genny Volpe said she saw some positives from the matches.

“The entire team, the entire coaching staff walked away knowing we’re playing really good volleyball,” she said. “We just need to clean up the little things.”

End of article

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