The SMU volleyball team went 1-1 on the road this weekend against both Tulane and UTEP. The Mustangs fell to the Green Wave in New Orleans on Friday but prevailed over the Miners on Sunday afternoon in El Paso.

The team lost three straight games to Tulane (30-14, 30-26, 30-21), their fifth conference loss of the season. The Mustangs were unable to get any momentum during the match, with Tulane squashing any positive efforts they made. Junior Rachel Giubilato posted 13 kills, seven digs and two blocks while Caitlin Rainbird had five kills, five digs and four blocks.

Freshman Candice Davis made eight digs in the match. Davis was named as the C-USA Co-Defensive Player of the Week after her record performance against Sam Houston State. She shared the honors with Yvette Kirk of Rice.

SMU moved on to face UTEP in El Paso on Sunday. The Mustangs faired much better against the Miners, defeating them 3-2 (17-30, 30-25, 20-30, 34-32, 15-10). SMU is now 11-10 for the season and 2-5 in C-USA play.

Freshman Kendra Kahanek earned her first double-double with 20 kills and 11 blocks. Rachel Giubilato and Caitlin Rainbird also posted double-doubles versus the Miners. Giubilato had 20 kills and 20 blocks with five digs and Rainbird nailed 16 kills and 17 digs in the match.

Davis nearly matched her career high of 32 digs against UTEP, falling short by only one dig. Freshman Dominque Ouellette had two digs while sophomore Natalie Peters showed she is fully recovered with 14 kills and six blocks. Madison Hill was on top of both offense and defense with 57 assists, two kills, nine digs and four blocks.

As the score reflects, SMU’s victory was not an easy one. The Miners came out strong in the first game and did not let up on Mustangs for the rest of the match. SMU was up for the challenge, however, and battled back in games two and four to tie the match. The Mustangs won game five with a series of unanswered points.

The SMU volleyball team continues on the road to take on UAB on Friday and then to Memphis on Sunday.