The No. 2 Texas Longhorns (2-0) head to Houston to face the Rice Owls (1-1) on Wednesday at Tudor Fieldhouse after an undefeated weekend at the Opening Spike Classic in Madison while the Owls enter the midweek match with momentum after sweeping Central Arkansas to close the Rice Invitational.
The Owls are led by senior outside hitter Preston Taylor, who currently leads the Owls with 19 kills and with 19 digs to show her defensive abilities, junior middle blocker Arissa Smith, pacing Rice defensively
with seven blocks with 13 offensive kills, and senior libero Gabby Mansfiled, who holds down the back line with senior defensive specialist Darby Harris for the Owls. Each have 19 digs. Sophomore setter Savannah Skopal has 35 assists and two blocks.
Will the Owls have enough fire power and defensive discipline to outmatch the Longhorns?
Texas brings the firepower with an electric offense, defensive cohesion, and communication. Texas leaders to keep an eye out for are the All-American junior outside hitter Torrey Stafford, leading the way offensively with 21 kills, while junior setter Ella Swindle has recorded 51 assists. Defensively, senior libero Emma Halter has 28 digs and redshirt sophomore middle blocker Nya Bunton has contributed with seven blocks. The Longhorns roster runs deep with the three true freshmen — Abby Vander Wal, Cari Spears, and Torrey Harvey — and experienced contributors like sophomore middle blocker Ayden Ames and junior liberos Ramsey Gary and Anja Kujundzic.
Will the No. 2 Longhorns overpower and exhaust their opponent?
First serve between Texas and Rice is at 6 p.m. Central on ESPN+.
