HOUSTON, T.X. — Big Red Women's Volleyball is back on the road this weekend, traveling south to Houston for the Rice Invitational II hosted by Rice University. The Big Red (4-3) will face three nonconference opponents, beginning with TCU at 11 a.m. Friday, followed by host Rice at 6:30 p.m., and closing the weekend Saturday with a noon matchup against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Live video will be available for Cornell's match vs. Rice only and live stats will be available for every contest.
Big Red So Far This Season
Cornell enters the tournament on the heels of a strong showing in Buffalo, N.Y., where the Big Red went 2-1 with wins over Niagara and Buffalo. That performance helped the team improve to 4-3 overall in nonconference play, with victories both at home and on the road.
The Big Red offense is led by senior outside hitter Eliza Konvicka, who has been one of the most dominant players in the Ivy League so far. Konvicka paces Cornell with 108 kills (4.32 per set) while hitting .341, and she also leads the team in points (131.5). Alongside her, sophomore outside hitter Mackenzie Parsons has emerged as a reliable scoring option, registering 75 kills (2.59 per set) on an impressive .445 hitting percentage. Middle blocker Nicole Mallus has added 60 kills and 11 total blocks, while junior Ava Bogan leads the blocking effort with 28 total blocks, averaging 1.04 per set.
At the setter position, sophomore Doga Ozalp has orchestrated the attack with 157 assists (5.61 per set), complemented by senior Mikayla Gray with 107 (4.46 per set). The team has also been effective from the service line, tallying 63 aces (2.17 per set), led by Konvicka (13), Gray (11), and Ozalp (8).
Defensively, the Big Red are anchored by sophomore libero Sarita Pomar, who has posted 103 digs (3.55 per set) and seven service aces. Cornell has shown balance on the back line, with six players in double-digit digs through the first seven matches. As a team, Cornell is averaging 12.3 digs and 2.2 blocks per set, while limiting opponents to a .221 hitting percentage
The Big Red will be tested against strong competition in Houston, with all three opponents entering the weekend representing talented conferences and experienced rosters.
Scouting TCU (Friday, 11 a.m.)
TCU (7-1) enters the weekend on a hot streak after winning seven of its first eight matches, including victories over nationally ranked opponents Penn State and UCLA. The Horned Frogs' only setback came in their season opener against Pittsburgh.
Offensively, TCU is paced by outside hitter Evan Hendrix, who leads the team with 106 kills (3.66 per set). She is complemented by Becca Kelley (89 kills, 2.87 per set) and Lauren Murphy (60 kills, .333 hitting), while middle blocker Sarah Sylvester has been a force at the net with 44 kills on a .374 hitting percentage and a team-best 39 blocks (1.34 per set).
Running the attack are setters Ella Foti (170 assists, 5.67 per set) and Rosemary Archer (163 assists, 5.26 per set), giving the Horned Frogs a balanced offensive system. From the service line, TCU has tallied 42 aces (1.35 per set), led by Hendrix, Archer, and Foti.
Defensively, libero Alice Volpe anchors the back row with 125 digs (4.17 per set), while the Horned Frogs average 15.1 digs per set as a team. With a strong block (2.55 per set) and a .238 hitting percentage overall, TCU has proven effective on both sides of the ball
Scouting Rice (Friday, 6:30 p.m.)
Rice (2-6) will look to defend its home court in Houston after facing a challenging early-season schedule that has included nationally ranked opponents Texas, Baylor, Creighton, and Louisville. The Owls' two wins came in sweeps of Central Arkansas and Saint Mary's (CA).
Junior outside hitter Taylor Preston is the centerpiece of the Rice offense, averaging 4.00 kills per set with 104 total kills, while also contributing 59 digs and 11 blocks. Middle blocker Lademi Ogunlana has been a consistent presence at the net with 47 kills on .344 hitting to go with six blocks, and outside hitter Arissa Smith adds 44 kills and a team-leading 24 total blocks (0.92 per set).
Setter Savannah Skopal directs the attack with 178 assists (7.42 per set), and sophomore Gaby Mansfield has added 25 assists while serving as a key defensive option in the back row. Mansfield also leads the team with 92 digs (3.54 per set), supported by Darby Harris (82 digs).
As a team, Rice is averaging 11.7 kills, 15.5 digs, and 1.6 blocks per set, while hitting .171 on the season. From the service line, the Owls have posted 24 aces, paced by Preston (6) and Mansfield (5). Despite their record, Rice's schedule has tested them against elite competition, making them a battle-tested opponent on their home court.
Scouting Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Saturday, 12 p.m.)
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (4-5) heads into the Rice Invitational II having played a competitive early-season schedule that included Arizona, UTEP, and Sam Houston. The Islanders have found success at home (3-1) and enter the weekend looking to build consistency after winning three of their last five matches.
Offensively, TAMUCC spreads the scoring across multiple hitters. Logan Dyer leads the team with 75 kills (2.59 per set), followed closely by Katelyn Krienke (70 kills, .321 hitting), Kaitlyn Baumann (69 kills, .361), and Ally Saleh (45 kills). Middle blocker Tatum Mason adds 45 kills while hitting .402, giving the Islanders a balanced attack that is averaging 12.9 kills per set on .248 hitting.
Setter Virginia Van Der Werff is the catalyst, dishing out 330 assists (10.00 per set) while also contributing 21 aces and 62 digs. At the service line, the Islanders have been strong with 54 aces (1.64 per set), paced by Van Der Werff, Brooklyn Jaeger (8), and Alessia Gallo (9).
Defensively, libero Brooklyn Jaeger anchors the backcourt with 130 digs (4.06 per set), supported by Kenna Buchanan (40 digs) and Saleh (32). At the net, Krienke leads the blocking effort with 13 total, while Baumann has 17 and Dyer has added 10. As a team, TAMUCC is averaging 13.3 digs per set and holding opponents to a .236 hitting percentage.
Cornell will look to continue its momentum before heading to Columbia to kick off Ivy League play later this month.
