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The Rice Lady Raiders volleyball team started last week with the first of three wins in a row that matched their longest win streak of the season as they have already surpassed last season’s win total. After winning a few of their opening matches in the home-hosted Rice varsity tournament, the Lady Raiders struggled a bit in the rest of the tourney with a 1-6 record the rest of the way.
Vs. Ganado, W, 3-0
The Lady Raiders defeated Ganado for the second time this season as thoroughly as they did in the first matchup.
The Lady Indians struggled against Rice’s stout defense as they managed over 15 points in a set just once. The Lady Raiders established their advantage in the first set with a 25-13 win. Ganado got a few points closer in game two with 16 points in a 25-16 defeat. Rice closed the door with their most dominant win of the match in a big 25-5 victory to close the first match of the week.
Vs. Ganado, W, 2-0
Rice got their home-tournament run started with another big win against rematch against Ganado who have not won a set against the Lady Raiders this season. It was another dominant win for Rice in the rematch as they began with a 25-8 victory in game one. Game two was slightly closer, but Ganado never threatened to win the set as the Lady Raiders took a double-digit, 25-15 win to close the tourney opener.
Vs. Van Vleck, W, 2-0
The second match of the tournament for Rice featured some competitive sets as the Lady Raiders held on for some strong victories against the Lady Leopards. Rice started with the closest set of the match, taking a 25-17 win in game one. They tightened their grip on the match even further with a better performance in game two, winning the second set by a 25-15 margin.
Vs. Burton, L, 2-0
The Lady Raiders began an unfortunate losing streak after falling in a competitive match against Burton. Rice scored over 20 points in each set as they kept close and continued to show their improved play this season. After falling in game one by a 25-21 margin, the Lady Raiders got one point closer in the second before losing the match in game two in a 25-22 defeat.
Vs. Iola, L, 2-0
The offensive output for Rice waned against Iola as they had a few of their most difficult sets in several matches. The Lady Bulldogs held Rice to just 14 points in game one win against the Lady Raiders. Rice lost even more ground in game two as they failed to reach double digits with a 25-8 defeat to clinch the match for Iola.
Vs. Boling, L, 2-0
The Lady Raiders’ offensive effectiveness made a return in their next match against Boling as they scored over 15 points in each set of the match. However, they could not get close enough to threaten with a set victory in either game as they fell in the first by a 25-19 margin and then took a 25-18 loss in game two.
Vs. Sacred Heart, L, 2-0
The losing streak continued for the Lady Raiders after a tough loss to Sacred Heart. They managed to score 20 points in game one as they fell to a 25-20 defeat. They fell a few points back from their mark in game one as they suffered a 25-18 loss in game two.
Vs. Burton, L, 2-0
The rematch against Burton resulted in a twogame sweep with the Lady Raiders losing by the same margin in each set. Rice suffered 25-16 defeats in both games as they fell in their second match against the Lady Panthers.
Vs. Fayetteville, W, 2-1
The Lady Raiders had to battle to break their losing streak and return to the winning column in the record book. Rice dominated in game one, taking a 25-10 victory to take the early advantage. The Lady Lions responded with a 25-20 win in game two to push the match to a decisive game three. Rice mustered up some of their strongest efforts as they held on for a 25-22 victory in the third set to claim the match and take their ninth match-win of the season. With nine wins already, the Lady Raiders surpassed their win total from all of last season after less than a month into the 2023 season.
Vs. Bosqueville, L, 2-0
Rice had one of their toughest outings of the tournament in the finale. The Lady Raiders did not hit double digits in either game against Bosqueville as they struggled against the opposing defense. After falling in game one by a 25-7 margin, the Lady Raiders fell in game two by a 25-5 margin in a 20-point defeat to end the tourney.
