Rice volleyball is heating up for their first home tournament, the Rice Invitational I, with a stellar 4-0 record and national recognition on the rise. They’ll face McNeese State — whom they’ve dominated 11-1 in history — and Illinois, marking their first home matchup against the Illini since 2005. The Owls kicked off their season with a bang, sweeping wins over top-tier opponents and earning weekly honors for three standout players. With coach Genny Volpe in her 23rd season and the team receiving AVCA votes, Rice is building serious momentum — and they’re not backing down, as next month’s Invitational II will feature Creighton, Louisville, and UNI.

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https://riceowls.com/news/2026/9/3/womens-volleyball-rice-volleyball-to-host-rice-invitational-i

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Rice Owls women’s soccer heads into a brutal road stretch, facing 17th-ranked Texas State Thursday and reigning national champs Florida State Sunday. After a tough loss to No. 3 Vanderbilt (3-1), Valentina Labuschagne netted her second career goal with assists from Kapadia and Brumlow. Team recognition is soaring too: Kirsten Ruf earns Goalkeeper of the Week for a shutout and first assist, while Lauren Pickup gets honorable mention for two goals. Rice holds a slight edge in the all-time series against Texas State (7-3-2) and celebrates 25 years of program history this season — ranked third in preseason polls with three players on the American Preseason Watch List.

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https://riceowls.com/news/2026/9/2/womens-soccer-owls-travel-for-pair-of-ranked-road-games

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Rice Owls volleyball opens home season with a gritty 3-1 win over Tarleton State, rallying from a first-set loss thanks to standout performances from Sydnee Peterson (17 kills), Arissa Smith and Ashlyn Seay (10 kills each), and Stephanie Gutierrez’s career-high 7 blocks. Kaia Mateo led the offense with 26 assists and 17 digs for her third double-double. Coach Genny Volpe praised the middles’ consistency despite noting the team’s lackluster execution overall. Up next: Rice hosts McNeese State in the Rice Invitational on Friday night at 6 PM, streaming on ESPN+.

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https://riceowls.com/news/2026/9/2/womens-volleyball-owls-open-home-slate-with-win-over-tarleton-state

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Rice Stadium is turning game days into full-blown festivals with major upgrades for the 2024 season. The revamped Tailgate Owley zone opens three hours early, featuring a live pregame show, food trucks, and a giant LED screen. The Owl Walk kicks off at 3:45 PM, followed by a live band starting at 4 PM. Kids get a fresh Sammy’s Zone with inflatables and face painting, while concessions offer budget bites like hot dogs for $4.99. The visual spectacle? A brand-new pyro show for the anthem and team entrance, plus fireworks launching from both end zones on every touchdown. New hype videos, fan cams, and a fresh hype man will keep energy soaring through all six home games.

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https://riceowls.com/news/2026/9/4/football-game-day-at-rice-stadium-what-to-look-for-in-2026

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Rice soccer battled valiantly against No. 17 Texas State despite playing most of the game shorthanded—down to nine players for the final 70 minutes—and still managed to score three goals, including a late-game heroics from Lauren Pickup. But Texas State capitalized on their numerical advantage, netting three goals in the final 20 minutes—including the dramatic winner in the last minute—to steal a 4-3 victory. Rice’s halftime lead was erased, and their record now sits at 1-3-2 as they prepare for another brutal test against reigning national champs Florida State this Sunday.

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https://riceowls.com/news/2026/9/4/womens-soccer-owls-fall-in-valiant-effort-at-no-17-texas-state

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Rice volleyball just pulled off a dominant sweep against McNeese, cruising to a 3-0 victory and extending their perfect season with five wins and zero losses. Sydnee Peterson exploded for 17 kills, Kaia Mateo dazzled with 34 assists, and Campbell Love anchored the defense with digs. The Owls held McNeese’s offense to a dismal hitting percentage while firing on all cylinders themselves, sealing the win with Peterson’s final kill. Coach praised their statistical progress but stressed the need for consistency as they gear up for Sunday’s showdown against Illinois at 2 PM on ESPN+.

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https://riceowls.com/news/2026/9/4/womens-volleyball-rice-rolls-past-mcneese-in-straight-sets

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Rice Owls kick off their 115th season with a historic first-ever matchup against Houston Christian at Rice Stadium, broadcast live on ESPN. It’s not just any opener — it’s the start of a new era for both programs, with Rice also set to face Temple for the first time later this year. The Owls aim to break a two-game losing streak at home and become the first coach since 1989 to win his first two openers. After a strong rushing season led by Quinton Jackson, they’re looking to carry that momentum into the new year — and celebrate the 20th anniversary of their legendary 2006 team, which turned things around with a bowl appearance and featured NCAA record-setting star Jarett Dillard.

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https://riceowls.com/news/2026/9/4/football-owls-host-huskies-to-open-115th-season

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Rice Owls women’s soccer faces a brutal test this Sunday against top-ranked Florida State, a team they’ve battled four of the last five seasons — each time while FSU held the national championship. After a gritty, short-handed loss to Texas State, the Owls are hungry for redemption. Goalkeeper Kirsten Ruf earned Goalkeeper of the Week honors after a shutout and her first assist, while Lauren Pickup added two goals. This matchup marks only the third time these rivals have met — and FSU has won both, always as defending champs. Three Owls — Jadyn Jaeger, Lilly Reuscher, and Dayo Tennyson — made preseason watch lists, including Reuscher for the Hermann Trophy. Rice was picked third in the coaches’ poll and celebrates 25 years since its founding in 2001, with a fierce home record that could be key to their season.

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This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.
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https://riceowls.com/news/2026/9/5/womens-soccer-owls-face-reigning-national-champion-sunday

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