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Tulsa
Rice
Volleyball Grounds Owls, 3-0
10/9/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 9, 2009
Box Score |
Box Score 
HOUSTON - Senior Jennifer Eichler recorded 19 kills and freshman Jessica Adams tallied 21 digs to lead The University of Tulsa volleyball to a 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-17) sweep of Conference USA rival Rice Friday evening at Autry Court.
The Golden Hurricane, which improves to 13-5 overall and 3-2 in C-USA, hit .310 in the match (49-13-116) with 45 assists, 51 digs and four blocks. Rice hit .154 in the match (36-18-117) with 33 assists, 48 digs and six assists. TU averaged 61 percent side out rate, and Rice averaged a 45 percent side out rate. This was the first time since 2006 at TU-Rice match was won in fewer than five sets, and the Hurricane's first sweep at Rice since 2005.
Tulsa will move across town to face Houston on Sunday at 1 p.m. Live stats and live video will be available on www.TulsaHurricane.com.
Eichler hit .375 with her 19 kills, freshman Tyler Henderson added 13 kills, junior Hannah Stout tallied six kills with a .357 attack percentage, and senior Julia Kenealy hit .400 with four kills against zero errors. Sophomore Rachel Vukson recorded 20 assists and freshman Jordan Clampitt contributed 18 assists.
"It was the most complete match we've played since the first half dozen matches of the year," Tulsa Head Coach Ed Allen said. "We played pretty good defense. Our offense and attacking was as good as it has been all year, and our serving was as good as it has been all year. The most important thing was this was a total team effort."
In the first set, Tulsa jumped out to a 5-1 lead, and held a 10-6 advantage, when Rice made a move to close to 11-10. The Golden Hurricane then went on a 9-4 run to expand its lead to 20-14. Rice only got to within 20-16 and Tulsa went ahead as far as six points and cruised to a 25-21 set win.
Tulsa won sets two and three by identical 25-17 scores. In the second frame, the Golden Hurricane made a ferocious comeback, as it trailed most of the way and found itself behind, 16-9. From that point TU went on a 16-1 run, including 12 points in a row behind the service of Shelbi Pitcher, to take the set.
The third set did not require a dramatic comeback like the second set did. With the score close through the beginning, Tulsa moved out to a 12-6 lead, but Rice pulled to within two points at 12-10. The Hurricane, however, scored eight of the next 10 points to move ahead, 20-12. After a mini surge by the Owls that allowed them to get within five points, that was as close as they would get, as TU pulled away again and won the set, 25-17.
"Jen Eichler is playing like she is capable of playing," said Allen. "Our middles both played very well, and hit over .400. Tyler Henderson continues to grow as a player for us. Jessica Adams proved against why she is one of the best liberos in the league. Jessica and Shelbi Pitcher played very well, not only on defense, but also at the service line."
Admission to all TU home volleyball matches is free. For all Tulsa volleyball news and information, visit www.TulsaHurricane.com. Follow Tulsa Athletics on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TulsaHurricane. Become a fan of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane page on Facebook - search "Tulsa Golden Hurricane."
