University of North Texas Athletics
University of North Texas
10-10,3-6American
Rice
13-8,7-2American
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice | 27 | 25 | 23 | 17 | 15 | 3 |
| North Texas | 25 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 13 | 2 |
10/23/2026 10:50:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
DENTON, Texas – The UNT volleyball team fell to Rice in five sets (25-27, 21-25, 25-23, 25-17, 13-15) Friday evening at the UNT Volleyball Center.
The loss moved the Mean Green to 10-10 overall and 3-6 in American Conference play, while Rice improved to 13-8 and 7-2 in league action.
The opening set featured a tightly contested battle with 19 ties and seven lead changes. North Texas held a 23-21 advantage late in the frame before Rice battled back to even the score at 23. The two teams remained tied at 24 and 25 before the Owls scored the final two points to secure a 27-25 victory.
Rice carried that momentum into the second set, securing a 25-21 win to take a two-set lead.
North Texas responded in the third set, overcoming a 22-19 deficit with five consecutive points to take a 24-22 advantage. Reagan Bedell delivered the final kill to secure a 25-23 victory and keep the Mean Green alive. UNT then controlled the fourth set, holding Rice to a .063 hitting percentage in a 25-17 win to force a decisive fifth frame.
In the final set, North Texas held an 8-7 advantage before Rice scored four consecutive points to take control. Trailing 14-10, the Mean Green fought off three match points to pull within one, but the Owls secured the final point to claim the 15-13 victory.
"We can compete with anybody in the conference. I think we've proven that," head coach Dave Fleming said. "We've got to stop playing the team on the other side of the net and start playing the best version of ourselves."
Bedell led North Texas offensively with 17 kills and 11 digs, recording her second consecutive double-double and second of the season. Bedell recorded her first double-double of the year against Tulsa last Sunday with 18 kills and 10 digs.
Setter Sidney Soria also posted a double-double, her seventh of the season, with 33 assists and 15 digs. Her performance matched her career highs in both categories.
Lillian Croshaw contributed 15 kills and six total blocks, tying her career high in blocks. Addison Achilles added seven kills, five blocks and three service aces, matching her career high in aces.
Both teams finished with 61 kills and 66 digs, with North Texas hitting .220 compared to Rice's .224. The Mean Green also recorded eight service aces and 10 blocks. Loredana Fouonji added 10 kills on a .500 hitting percentage, while Dakota Mitchell contributed 15 digs and Olivia Branum dished out 19 assists.
North Texas returns to action Sunday against UAB at 1 p.m. CT at the UNT Volleyball Center. The match will be available to stream on ESPN+.
