HOUSTON – The UTSA Volleyball team was unable to overcome a potent Rice squad, falling 25-17, 25-15, 25-14 in American Athletic Conference action inside Tudor Fieldhouse on Sunday.
The Roadrunners (6-9, 0-2 The American) fell to the Owls (7-4, 2-0 The American) as senior Aliah Giroux led the match with 12 digs. UTSA will look to bounce back on Friday as they take on East Carolina in Greenville at 5 p.m. CT, ahead of a noon match at Charlotte the following Sunday.
Multiple spurts helped Rice take an 11-3 edge early in the first frame. Shortly after, the 'Runners embarked on a five-point run featuring an ace by Giroux and blocks by freshman Ally Tribe, senior Alicia Coppedge, and classmate Faye Wilbricht. Still holding a 13-9 lead, the Owls responded with a surge of their own, rebuilding a nine-point advantage. From there, Rice held UTSA at arms-length en route to a 25-17 win.
After a 7-7 start to the second stanza, Rice rattled off four straight for an 11-7 lead. The teams exchanged blows before a six-score streak extended the Owl's advantage to nine, ahead of a 25-15 victory.
Rice kept their foot on the gas for the entirety of the third, using a 25-14 score line to secure the match.
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