By Jackson Posey | Sports Writer
No. 23 Baylor volleyball knocked off Rice in straight sets Tuesday: 25-20, 25-19 and 25-23, improving to 4-0 ahead of hosting the Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge later this week.
The game began as a defensive slugfest, with 12 of the first 18 points scored on errors. Despite this, the Bears quickly hit their groove, scoring from all directions en route to a 25-10 set win. Baylor twice managed 3-0 runs with three different scorers, including an ace from sophomore outside hitter Kendal Murphy, before senior outside hitter Elise McGhee closed it out with her third of 13 kills.
Rice came roaring back, controlling the second frame at 7-3, 11-6 and 15-10. But that 15th point – a kill by sixth-year senior outside hitter Samarah Hill – would be the Owls’ last glimpse of hope. The Bears raced back to score 15 of the final 19 points, including the final seven, to take back pole position for the third set. This time, it was the McGhee and junior opposite hitter Allie Sczech show, as the pair combined for nine kills, a block and an assist.
With opportunities running low, Rice again battled to an early lead, going up 9-3 in the third set and never giving up more than a three-point lead. Star sophomore outside hitter Cindy Tchouangwa, who paced all players with 18 kills, played her magnum opus in the third, racking up eight kills, a block and an assist – but it wasn’t enough. Murphy, who totalled 10 kills and 14 digs on the night, notched five kills and a block for the Bears in the final frame to seal the victory, 25-23.
The first road win of the season came against a familiar foe in Rice University. With the win, the Bears improved to 26-23 all-time in the series, including a perfect 6-0 mark since the Covid-19 pandemic. On the coaching front, new assistant coach Shelby Livingstone – Truett Seminary alumna and daughter of university president Linda Livingstone – earned her first win over her alma mater after winning five letters and a Conference USA championship during her volleyball career at Rice.
The Bears will now prepare to host the annual Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge later this week, where they’ll play No. 18 Minnesota (who just defeated No. 1 Texas on FS1) and No. 6 Wisconsin. Baylor has lost five straight in this series, with its last win against then No. 3 Wisconsin on Aug. 27, 2022.
