Lady Gladiators steam Rice after winning 3-out of-4 sets

Image: The Lady Gladiators stir things up against Rice — The Lady Gladiators gave an impressive performance against the RIce Lady Bulldogs inside Italy Coliseum on Friday, winning the match in 3-out of-4 sets.

The Lady Gladiators stir things up against Rice — The Lady Gladiators gave an impressive performance against the RIce Lady Bulldogs inside Italy Coliseum on Friday, winning the match in 3-out of-4 sets. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brianna serves — Kaitlyn Rossa(3) watches Brianna Burkhalter serve to the Rice Lady Bulldogs.

Brianna serves — Kaitlyn Rossa(3) watches Brianna Burkhalter serve to the Rice Lady Bulldogs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Quick breather — Anna Viers catches her breath while keeping her eyes on the action.

Quick breather — Anna Viers catches her breath while keeping her eyes on the action. (Barry Byers)

Image: Another level — Brianna Burkhalter(13) and Kaitlyn Rossa(3) overpower Rice at the net as Bailey Bumpus(8) rushes in to assist.

Another level — Brianna Burkhalter(13) and Kaitlyn Rossa(3) overpower Rice at the net as Bailey Bumpus(8) rushes in to assist. (Barry Byers)

Image: Over the top — Kaitlyn Rossa(3) and Bailey Bumpus(8) continue to get the job done for the Lady Gladiators.

Over the top — Kaitlyn Rossa(3) and Bailey Bumpus(8) continue to get the job done for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brianna on “D” — Brianna Burkhalter stays low while awaiting a serve from Rice.

Brianna on “D” — Brianna Burkhalter stays low while awaiting a serve from Rice. (Barry Byers)

Image: Meeting the challenge — Bailey Bumpus(8) and Kaitlyn Rossa(3) try to challenge a rice return.

Meeting the challenge — Bailey Bumpus(8) and Kaitlyn Rossa(3) try to challenge a rice return. (Barry Byers)

Image: Here it comes — Anna Viers gets into position to make a play on the ball.

Here it comes — Anna Viers gets into position to make a play on the ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Controlling the serve — Anna Viers(1) keeps the Rice serve alive as Alyssa Richards and Bailey Bumpus stand ready to react to the result.

Controlling the serve — Anna Viers(1) keeps the Rice serve alive as Alyssa Richards and Bailey Bumpus stand ready to react to the result.

Image: “Burk” bumps it — Brianna Burkhalte(13) bumps the ball back to Rice.

“Burk” bumps it — Brianna Burkhalte(13) bumps the ball back to Rice.

Image: Look, no hands! — The old over the shoulder and back over the head play by Megan Richards(7).

Look, no hands! — The old over the shoulder and back over the head play by Megan Richards(7).

Image: Bumpus can — Bailey Bumpus(8) can fly and returns the favor to Rice.

Bumpus can — Bailey Bumpus(8) can fly and returns the favor to Rice.

Image: The down low — Brianna Perry(10) gets low to bring the volleyball back up.

The down low — Brianna Perry(10) gets low to bring the volleyball back up.

Image: Alyssa leaps — Alyssa Richards(5) elevated her game to help the Lady Gladiators turn up the heat on Rice.

Alyssa leaps — Alyssa Richards(5) elevated her game to help the Lady Gladiators turn up the heat on Rice.

Image: JV Lady Gladiators — The JV Ladies were introduced and quickly took their battle stations.

JV Lady Gladiators — The JV Ladies were introduced and quickly took their battle stations. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Bryeanna takes careful aim — Bryeanna Beets (32) hits the ball to the opponent.

Bryeanna takes careful aim — Bryeanna Beets (32) hits the ball to the opponent. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Paola covers the front line — Paola Mata (13) is a special player for the JV.

Paola covers the front line — Paola Mata (13) is a special player for the JV. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Set it up — The Lady Gladiators won the first game 25-20.

Set it up — The Lady Gladiators won the first game 25-20. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: The Lady Bulldogs have to be ready — Casi Jeffords (25) launches a bomb over the net.

The Lady Bulldogs have to be ready — Casi Jeffords (25) launches a bomb over the net. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Word of caution — Coach Jennifer Reeves gives the ladies some instruction before the next game.

Word of caution — Coach Jennifer Reeves gives the ladies some instruction before the next game. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: And it’s up — Sierra Harris (31) has a mean right hook.

And it’s up — Sierra Harris (31) has a mean right hook. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Ready to play — Monsi Figueroa (11) and Paige Westbrooke’s (30) exchange places during the game.

Ready to play — Monsi Figueroa (11) and Paige Westbrooke’s (30) exchange places during the game. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Monsi’s got talent — Monserrat Figueroa (11) puts some muscle behind that ball.

Monsi’s got talent — Monserrat Figueroa (11) puts some muscle behind that ball. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Coach Reeves oversees — Reeves and the Lady Gladiators work hard every game.

Coach Reeves oversees — Reeves and the Lady Gladiators work hard every game. (Anne Sutherland)

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