Owls Keep Sizzling with Win Over North Texas

HOUSTON – The Rice volleyball group prolonged its profitable streak to 12 with a 3-0 sweep of North Texas on Friday at Tudor Fieldhouse.

Rice (16-8, 12-1 American) held North Texas (19-7, 9-4 American) to a .087 hitting proportion.

Kellen Dorotik led the Owls with 14 kills on a .500 hitting proportion, whereas Taylor Preston added 10.

Kaia Mateo paced the offense with 33 assists, and Darby Harris recorded her 1,000th profession help within the match. Gaby Mansfield notched 20 digs, and Arissa Smith posted 5 blocks.

Postgame Reaction – Head Coach Genny Volpe
“That was a tough match and a gritty win for our team. North Texas put up a strong defense and made us uncomfortable. They fought hard, and the first set was key. I thought North Texas came in with a strong game plan and executed it really well. It took us a while to find our offensive rhythm. We never fully got into it, but I’m really proud of Kellen for stepping up offensively and being a go-to hitter for us.”
 

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

First Set
The opening body stayed shut early, with North Texas main till a 4-0 Rice run tied the rating at 15 on an Aaliyah Smith kill. The Owls went on a 5-1 run to shut out the set 25-23. Both groups hit below .100, with the Mean Green ending at .061 and the Owls at .087.
 
Second Set
Rice managed the second set from the beginning, taking a 7-4 lead when Harris tallied her 1,000th profession help. A 4-0 Rice run capped by a Mansfield service ace pushed the benefit to 17-9, and one other 4-0 burst closed the set 25-14. The Owls hit .219 within the body whereas holding North Texas to a -.029 mark.
 
Third Set
Rice jumped out to a 4-2 lead earlier than North Texas briefly went forward 10-9 — its last lead of the set. A Dorotik kill tied it at 10 and sparked a 4-1 Rice run, capped by a Preston kill. The Mean Green tied it just a few extra occasions, however the Owls pulled away late to win 25-22 and full the sweep. Rice hit .304 within the last set.
 

UP NEXT
Rice will shut out its 2025 house season Sunday at 1 p.m. in opposition to Florida Atlantic. The match will stream on ESPN+.