The Rice Owls women’s volleyball team is scheduled to open its home slate this weekend with the Rice Invitational at Tudor Fieldhouse, highlighted by a marquee matchup against a top 10 opponent.
Rice will face No. 9 Texas A&M at 6 p.m. Aug. 29 before closing out the weekend against Central Arkansas at 1 p.m. Aug. 31.
“We are excited to welcome both ninth-ranked Texas A&M and Central Arkansas to our home tournament this weekend,” head coach Genny Volpe said. “I anticipate the matches to be filled with strong play from all teams, and of course the highlight of the tournament will be our match versus Texas A&M on Friday.
“It will be a great way to kick off the weekend, competing against a top 10 program. We hope that Rice Nation comes out in full force to support us.”
The Owls return 10 letterwinners and four starters from last year’s squad that went 19-8 and finished second in the American Conference. Senior Lademi Ogunlana and sophomore Savannah Skopal earned All-Conference honors a season ago and headline a lineup picked as the preseason favorite in the conference coaches’ poll, earning nine first-place votes.
Now in her 22nd season as head coach, Volpe has built a demanding nonconference schedule featuring multiple NCAA tournament teams and in-state powers — a slate designed to test Rice early and prepare the Owls for a championship run.
To see the full season schedule or purchase tickets, click here. Read more about the Owls at riceowls.com.