Women lost to Texas Tech 3-2 today. This is very disappointing. Looks like this team is regressing.

(09-14-2016 10:29 PM)OldOwl Wrote:  Women lost to Texas Tech 3-2 today. This is very disappointing. Looks like this team is regressing.

Yes - women's volleyball has had a disappointing season so far. They have played tough against some strong opponents (e.g. BYU and USC), but just can't seem to win any of those matches. Then they lose to schools like Sam Houston State and I really get frustrated.

This was supposed to be our best team in several years, what with two strong outside hitters (Leah and Chelsey), a highly-decorated setter (Madison) and super-freshman Libero (Lee Ann Cunningham) leading the team. Going in I fully expected us to contend for the Conference Championship and have a real shot at making the NCAA tournament - especially since we get to host the conference tournament this year.

I've been a volleyball season ticket holder for the last 6 years now - and am starting to think it is time to evaluate whether the performance of our Volleyball Program is acceptable. With all the High School volleyball talent in Houston, I keep thinking we should be much better than we are. I hate to talk about considering a coaching change, because I've always liked Coach Volpe, and I know the players and parents do as well. But, if we end up having another mediocre season, I think we need to start evaluating whether it's time to move in another direction coaching-wise. For now, I just hope we start to get things rolling once the conference season begins - and that momentum leads to a legitimate shot at winning the conference tournament.

Volpe should be on the hot seat. However, Rice has a propensity to keep coaches around long after they've run their program completely into the ground. It's depressing to watch talent get wasted. I admit I passed on attending tonight.

We have 3 top recruits coming in the next year (or two) although we do lose some pretty solid seniors after this season too. Volleyball appears to be in decent shape - they just need to be able to close out the 5 game matches (or win the close individual games). They had a 13-10 lead in game 5 yesterday - that's one you need to close out with a win at home.

Really??? Last night we lost a match that we should have won. We had a number of mistakes that made the difference and they are clearly correctable (I think). We were within two points of winning the match against a Big 12 team with a 9-2 record.

Last year's team was 21-10 and 11-5 in C-USA play. We had a win over LSU and wins over two top-25 teams. I still like this team and am not ready to give up on the season especially considering that Mikesky and Harris are two outstanding seniors.

This program is in very good shape with a lot of talent distributed over the roster. We can only hope the Genny stays with us.

(09-15-2016 07:57 AM)Houston Owl Wrote:  Really??? Last night we lost a match that we should have won. We had a number of mistakes that made the difference and they are clearly correctable (I think). We were within two points of winning the match against a Big 12 team with a 9-2 record.

Last year's team was 21-10 and 11-5 in C-USA play. We had a win over LSU and wins over two top-25 teams. I still like this team and am not ready to give up on the season especially considering that Mikesky and Harris are two outstanding seniors.

This program is in very good shape with a lot of talent distributed over the roster. We can only hope the Genny stays with us.

I think this thread sums up the state of the parliament. Hasn't volleyball been one of our most successful programs in the last few years? Probably behind tennis CC and baseball.

(09-15-2016 08:01 AM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 07:57 AM)Houston Owl Wrote:  Really??? Last night we lost a match that we should have won. We had a number of mistakes that made the difference and they are clearly correctable (I think). We were within two points of winning the match against a Big 12 team with a 9-2 record.

Last year's team was 21-10 and 11-5 in C-USA play. We had a win over LSU and wins over two top-25 teams. I still like this team and am not ready to give up on the season especially considering that Mikesky and Harris are two outstanding seniors.

This program is in very good shape with a lot of talent distributed over the roster. We can only hope the Genny stays with us.

I think this thread sums up the state of the parliament. Hasn't volleyball been one of our most successful programs in the last few years? Probably behind tennis CC and baseball.

Not sure what you mean by "state of the parliament." And if one of the most successful programs has a losing record, well, that's not good enough.

(09-15-2016 08:08 AM)Frizzy Owl Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 08:01 AM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 07:57 AM)Houston Owl Wrote:  Really??? Last night we lost a match that we should have won. We had a number of mistakes that made the difference and they are clearly correctable (I think). We were within two points of winning the match against a Big 12 team with a 9-2 record.

Last year's team was 21-10 and 11-5 in C-USA play. We had a win over LSU and wins over two top-25 teams. I still like this team and am not ready to give up on the season especially considering that Mikesky and Harris are two outstanding seniors.

This program is in very good shape with a lot of talent distributed over the roster. We can only hope the Genny stays with us.

I think this thread sums up the state of the parliament. Hasn't volleyball been one of our most successful programs in the last few years? Probably behind tennis CC and baseball.

Not sure what you mean by "state of the parliament." And if one of the most successful programs has a losing record, well, that's not good enough.

Constant complaints. A month of the season is too short of time to jump to conclusions about a team that lost to the conference champions in the final a year ago.

I do not know what is going on this year. The team has been so inconsistent. Maybe this team lack leadership from the seniors or the coaching staff is not lighting a fire under the team. They seem not to have any energy in the games. We were blown out in the first match and team was just going through the motions. As far as Texas Tech, they were ranked way below Rice in the rankings and they have no seniors on the team. We have lot better athletes and overall experience. I bet Texas Tech will be the Big 12 celler dwellers this year. I also hope Dr K has takin notice.

(09-15-2016 09:05 AM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 08:08 AM)Frizzy Owl Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 08:01 AM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 07:57 AM)Houston Owl Wrote:  Really??? Last night we lost a match that we should have won. We had a number of mistakes that made the difference and they are clearly correctable (I think). We were within two points of winning the match against a Big 12 team with a 9-2 record.

Last year's team was 21-10 and 11-5 in C-USA play. We had a win over LSU and wins over two top-25 teams. I still like this team and am not ready to give up on the season especially considering that Mikesky and Harris are two outstanding seniors.

This program is in very good shape with a lot of talent distributed over the roster. We can only hope the Genny stays with us.

I think this thread sums up the state of the parliament. Hasn't volleyball been one of our most successful programs in the last few years? Probably behind tennis CC and baseball.

Not sure what you mean by "state of the parliament." And if one of the most successful programs has a losing record, well, that's not good enough.

Constant complaints. A month of the season is too short of time to jump to conclusions about a team that lost to the conference champions in the final a year ago.

(09-15-2016 09:05 AM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 08:08 AM)Frizzy Owl Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 08:01 AM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 07:57 AM)Houston Owl Wrote:  Really??? Last night we lost a match that we should have won. We had a number of mistakes that made the difference and they are clearly correctable (I think). We were within two points of winning the match against a Big 12 team with a 9-2 record.

Last year's team was 21-10 and 11-5 in C-USA play. We had a win over LSU and wins over two top-25 teams. I still like this team and am not ready to give up on the season especially considering that Mikesky and Harris are two outstanding seniors.

This program is in very good shape with a lot of talent distributed over the roster. We can only hope the Genny stays with us.

I think this thread sums up the state of the parliament. Hasn't volleyball been one of our most successful programs in the last few years? Probably behind tennis CC and baseball.

Not sure what you mean by "state of the parliament." And if one of the most successful programs has a losing record, well, that's not good enough.

Constant complaints. A month of the season is too short of time to jump to conclusions about a team that lost to the conference champions in the final a year ago.

Well, actually it was two years ago. I know, I made the trip to Hattiesburg and was at that Rice-WKU final. Last year we were disappointingly eliminated in the first round of the Conference Tournament. I just believe we can be a lot more competitive in Volleyball than we have been. I'm only talking about the last 6 years when I have been attending the games. Granted, we don't finish in last place, but I think finishing in the 3rd to 6th place range of a very weak volleyball conference (only the Conference tournament winner makes the NCAA tournament) is nothing to brag about.

It also seems that we consistently lose that final game when we make it to the 5th set in our matches (not just this year, it seems to have been a consistent pattern in recent years). That makes me question our mental toughness - which for me, is a reflection on team leadership and coaching.

I go back to my initial point - being located in the middle of a Volleyball hot bed makes me think we should be doing better. I'll leave it at that.

(09-15-2016 05:57 PM)Minnewaska Owl Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 09:05 AM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 08:08 AM)Frizzy Owl Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 08:01 AM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 07:57 AM)Houston Owl Wrote:  Really??? Last night we lost a match that we should have won. We had a number of mistakes that made the difference and they are clearly correctable (I think). We were within two points of winning the match against a Big 12 team with a 9-2 record.

Last year's team was 21-10 and 11-5 in C-USA play. We had a win over LSU and wins over two top-25 teams. I still like this team and am not ready to give up on the season especially considering that Mikesky and Harris are two outstanding seniors.

This program is in very good shape with a lot of talent distributed over the roster. We can only hope the Genny stays with us.

I think this thread sums up the state of the parliament. Hasn't volleyball been one of our most successful programs in the last few years? Probably behind tennis CC and baseball.

Not sure what you mean by "state of the parliament." And if one of the most successful programs has a losing record, well, that's not good enough.

Constant complaints. A month of the season is too short of time to jump to conclusions about a team that lost to the conference champions in the final a year ago.

Well, actually it was two years ago. I know, I made the trip to Hattiesburg and was at that Rice-WKU final. Last year we were disappointingly eliminated in the first round of the Conference Tournament. I just believe we can be a lot more competitive in Volleyball than we have been. I'm only talking about the last 6 years when I have been attending the games. Granted, we don't finish in last place, but I think finishing in the 3rd to 6th place range of a very weak volleyball conference (only the Conference tournament winner makes the NCAA tournament) is nothing to brag about.

It also seems that we consistently lose that final game when we make it to the 5th set in our matches (not just this year, it seems to have been a consistent pattern in recent years). That makes me question our mental toughness - which for me, is a reflection on team leadership and coaching.

I go back to my initial point - being located in the middle of a Volleyball hot bed makes me think we should be doing better. I'll leave it at that.

I hate to be overly critical of VB in the setting of multiple sports doing far worse, but I do feel that we should up the ante in VB, WBB, track and field , golf ,swimming and even tennis in trying to attract the true student athletes that tend to be involved in these sports. There is probably room under Title IX to increase the scholarships available, and we have facilities in place.
We should provide more, and expect more.

Tennis is pretty good. We're ~Top 30 in both.

For men's sports, the attitude seems to be that success is winning the conference (not just coming close). In baseball, coming close is not good enough. If Coach Rhoades is here for 10+ years and never finishes first in the conference regular season, I won't be satisfied.

We should expect just as much from our women's team. With no pro prospects, a Rice scholarship is, by far, the most valuable offer in CUSA. Being an above average coach who puts together above average teams is not good enough. I want us to win the conference. I want us to win a game in the NCAA tournament.

(09-15-2016 08:31 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Tennis is pretty good. We're ~Top 30 in both.

dont disagree, but would think (wish) they could get better. Perhaps the new facility will help

Rice beats Yale 3-0.

What happened this morning?

Rice news Wrote:Friday’s morning match between Houston and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was not played.

Ilanders news Wrote:Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Houston mutually agreed to declare Friday's volleyball match a no contest due to playing conditions at the Rice Adidas Invitational II.

UH news Wrote:Due to unforeseen circumstances, both Houston and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi mutually agreed not to play Friday's scheduled volleyball match.

The NCAA has ruled the match be called a no contest.

Any insight into what the playing conditions issue was? I mean, when I think of playing conditions issues, I think of rain/mud/turf problems, not issues related to an indoor gym.

(09-16-2016 05:12 PM)Barrett Wrote:  Any insight into what the playing conditions issue was? I mean, when I think of playing conditions issues, I think of rain/mud/turf problems, not issues related to an indoor gym.

It was announced earlier this week that both matches today would be played in Fox Gym to accommodate VP Biden in Tudor. All four matches tomorrow should be back in Tudor.

I have no idea if the problem was with Fox or something else.

I heard A&M was not happy with the odor inside the gym (related to the courts being resurfaced back in early August), and that it was giving a few of their girls headaches. UH's lone complaint was that the refs' stand was too close to the net (?), even though it was within NCAA regulations? Goes down as a no-contest instead of a forfeit.

Let us see what happens against UH. Yale does not even offer athletic scholarships.

(09-16-2016 02:55 PM)Frizzy Owl Wrote:  Rice beats Yale 3-0.