Houston, Texas — Texas State volleyball suffered its first loss of the 2024 season after falling to Rice in the final day of the Rice Invitational.
 
Rice was able to limit the Bobcats attack to just seven kills in the first set. The Owls had four blocks in the first set and their 14 kills were enough to put a lopsided score on the board. Rice won set one 25-14 after limiting the Bobcat offense.
 
The second set was similar for the Bobcats, though they were more fruitful in the attack. The Bobcats counted six attack errors, a block error and two service errors, while the Owls swung .483 with 15 kills and two aces as a team. Their efficient hitting led to another 25-14 set win for the tournament hosts.
 
The Bobcats were able to nearly stage a comeback in the fourth set. The team out-killed Rice 15-14, but the Owls were able to hold on. Despite having a 20-11 lead, Texas State was able to go on a run and bring the match within two points at the end. Before they could find a way to win set three, though, Rice was able to take a timeout and recoup and ultimately get the set win and sweep.

STAT LEADERS (first 3 sets)

• Kills – Sam Wunsch (11)
• Assists – Ryann Torres (20)
• Service Aces – Bailey Hanner/Maggie Walsh (1)
• Blocks – Jade Defraeye (2)
• Digs – Alyssa Clark/MJ McCurdy (6)

 
SCORES BY SET

• 1st | Texas State 14, Rice 25
• 2nd | Texas State 14, Rice 25
• 3rd | Texas State 22, Rice 25

UP NEXT
Texas State will continue its 2024 campaign with two matches versus in-state foes next week. The Bobcats will go down I-35 for a match at UTSA on Wednesday, September 4 at 6 pm. The team will then go to Texas A&M for a match with the Aggies on Friday at 6:30 pm. The Bobcats will return home in October for a series with Troy on the 4^th and 5^th.

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