Sept. 26, 2008

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EL PASO, Texas - The UTEP volleyball team dropped their conference opener, 3-1, against Rice on Friday night at Memorial Gym.

Rice improved to 9-2 for the season, 1-0 in league play, while the Miners fell 4-10, 0-1.

Down 2-0 (25-18, 25-21), the Miners registered a .333 attack percentage to the Owls' .171 and rallied back to take the third set and force a game four.

The teams exchanged the lead through most of the fourth set. Rice's 15 kills bested UTEP's combined eight for a final 25-18 and the Owls' first C-USA win.

Amy Sanders had a match-high 16 kills, seven digs and three total blocks.

UTEP returns to Memorial Gym on Sunday to take on Houston at 12 p.m. The Cougars come to El Paso after a 3-0 loss at Tulane Friday night.