Temple University Athletics
Owls Fall in Five to Cowgirls
9.21.99 | Women's Volleyball
HOUSTON Despite the homecoming to Autry Court and the return of Karolina Zelinka, Rice fell to McNeese State Tuesday night 16-14, 10-15, 9-15, 15-10, 13-15
Zelinka made her presence known early in game one when she launched three consecutive aces. She ended the game with a total of five and Courtney Smith added four. Zelinka led the offensive and defensive attack for the Owls by knocking down 23 kills and 16 digs. Also posting big numbers for Rice was younger sister Klara Zelinka who added 18 kills, 11 digs and six blocks. Briana Cook added six blocks to the team total of 11, and there were five Owls who had double-digit digs.
Soleil Thon put up 41 assists to move up to eighth on the Rice career assists list. Karolina Zelinka's 23 kills gave her a total of 1,010 to take over eighth in the Rice record book.
The Cowgirls led by the offensive performance of Anissa Parker and Angela Eppers who posted 27 kills a piece. Parker dug 29 Owl attacks and Eppers had 20 digs, five service aces and hit .373.
The Owls fall to 5-8 on the season while the Cowgirls improve to 11-1.
The Owls will travel this weekend to Orlando, Fla., to compete in the Central Florida tournament where they will face St. John's, Bethune-Cookman, UNC-Ashville and Central Florida. Rice will return to Autry Court on Oct. 2 to open conference play against Tulsa.
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