The Rice volleyball team has been named the favorite to win the American Conference for the third consecutive year, garnering 12 first-place votes and a total of 144 points. Three players鈥擪aia Mateo, Arissa Smith, and Aaliyah Smith鈥攔eceived Preseason All-Conference honors. Mateo led the team with 790 assists last season, while Arissa Smith excelled with 133 blocks. Aaliyah Smith was recognized for her strong freshman performance, averaging 2.66 kills per set. Head coach Genny Volpe emphasizes a process-driven approach despite the rankings, looking forward to a competitive season ahead.

By the Numbers
  • Rice volleyball earned 12 first-place votes and 144 total points in preseason rankings.
  • Kaia Mateo recorded 790 assists, averaging 10.67 assists per set during conference play.
  • Arissa Smith led the Owls with 133 total blocks, averaging 1.21 blocks per set.
  • Aaliyah Smith averaged 2.66 kills per set with 13 matches of 10 or more kills last season.
Yes, But

While the Owls are favored, coach Volpe acknowledges the competitiveness of the conference and focuses on continual improvement over accolades.

State of Play
  • The Owls' roster includes eight newcomers from Power Four conferences.
  • The team features a balanced mix of eight upperclassmen and eight underclassmen.
What's Next

The Rice volleyball team will aim to build on last season's success and prepare for a rigorous schedule this fall, focusing on skill enhancement and teamwork.

Bottom Line

As the Rice volleyball team heads into the new season ranked first, maintaining focus and commitment to improvement will be key to their continued success in a competitive conference.