Top-seeded and host Rice upended No. 2 Old Dominion 4-2 Sunday in the Conference USA men's tennis championship match.
After the Monarchs lost the doubles point, Adam Moundir and Michael Weindl won at No. 1 and No. 3 singles for a 2-1 lead. But the Owls won the next three matches to earn an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament.
The Monarchs (21-5) had won seven matches in a row.
