Box Score vs. Rice

Cumulative StatsC-USA Stats Only

HOUSTON - Despite a 20-kill performance from Holly Milam, the North Texas volleyball team suffered a 3-1 loss to the Rice Owls on Friday night at Tudor Fieldhouse.

Milam shined for the Mean Green, committing just six errors on the attack in 49 chances. She finished with a .286 attack percentage.

"Holly was really our main option tonight as we struggled to find consistency on offense," head coach Andrew Palileo said. "I thought our defense and passing really held up, but when you are on the road, you have to have more energy than the other team and play with more tenacity. We had small spurts, but couldn't keep it all match long."

The Mean Green (11-13, 5-4) fell behind fell behind 2-0 after the Owls secured a 25-16 victory in set one and a 25-21 victory in set two.

Out of the break, the Mean Green controlled the tempo of set three. Rice eventually took a 13-10 advantage, but the Mean Green responded and regained the lead 15-14 after a 5-1 run. After four ties, Rice took the match to set point at 24-21, but North Texas showed fight, and finished the set on a 5-0 run fueled by four kills from Holly Milam to win, 26-24, and force a fourth set.

Set four was back-and-fourth, with both squads trying to pull away from the other. With the score tied at eight, Rice made its move to regain the lead, which it would not let go of en route to a 25-15 set victory and a 3-1 victory in the match.

The victory moves the Owls' record to 16-9 overall and 8-2 in C-USA play.

Quick Hits

• The 20 kills by Milam marks a new career high for the junior
• Karley York recorded seven kills in the match, a new career high for the sophomore. Her nine attacks was also a new career best
• Amy Henard reached double-digit figures with 18 digs for the sixth time in her last seven matches
• Alexis Wright tallied her 500th career kill in the match
• Amanda Chamberlain logged the 600th kill of her career after posting nine in tonight's contest
• With tonight's win, Rice evened the series since North Texas moved to Conference USA to 3-3

Up Next For North Texas

North Texas will remain on the road to challenge Southern Miss on Sunday at noon in Hattiesburg. The Golden Eagles secured a 3-1 victory in the last meeting on Sept. 23.