WACO, Texas – Sophomore Elise McGhee hit .455 and totaled 13 kills and freshman Averi Carlson had 37 assists and 13 digs, leading No. 17 Baylor to a NCAA Tournament First-Round win (25-13, 25-18, 25-15) over Stephen F. Austin, on Thursday night at the Ferrell Center. 
 
Baylor (24-6) advanced to the second round to face No. 20 Rice (27-3), the champions of Conference USA, on Friday night at 7 p.m. in a match broadcast live on ESPN+. The Bears will face the Owls in a re-match of a Baylor win in Houston on Oct. 12, a three-set sweep. Rice advanced to the second round by virtue of a four-set win over Colorado in the first round on Thursday. 
 
The Bears hit .376 in the win, including .500 in the third set, and used a strong outing from Elise McGhee, who led the way with a match-best 13 kills and a .455 hitting percentage. Her sister, senior Kara McGhee added seven kills and hit .417 with four blocks. 
 
Freshman Allie Sczech had seven kills on 15 attacks, adding seven blocks, while Lauren Harrison chipped in seven kills, four digs and two blocks. 
 
Carlson, the Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year, totaled 37 assists and 13 digs in her seventh double-double of the year. Mallory Talbert finished with seven kills, six blocks and three digs. 
 
SFA (26-5) saw a five-match winning streak snapped that had spurred the Lumberjacks to the NCAA Tournament after claiming the Western Athletic Conference Tournament. SFA was led by Ariana Paga, who had eight kills and nine digs. 

WHAT'S NEXT
The Bears face No. 20 Rice (27-3) at 7 p.m. on Friday on ESPN+ for a trip to the Regional Semifinals.
 
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