The SMU volleyball team split this weekend’s C-USA matches, losing to UTEP on Friday night, and then defeating Tulane Sunday afternoon.
The Mustang’s loss came in El Paso, Texas, when the team fell 3-0 (30-28, 31-29, 30-19).
Senior middle blocker Kelly Larkan led the way with 12 kills and nine digs, while freshman middle blocker Natalie Peters gave the team 10 kills and six blocks, which was a game high.
Junior libero Jennette Evanco had the highest digs for the Mustangs, tallying 19, while freshman setter Stefanie Kons contributed to the loss with 38 assists and two kills.
Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Giubilato also chipped in with 12 digs, eight kills, and four blocks. Senior middle blockers Ashley Zener and Stephanie Bennett also showed strength for the Mustangs, Zener with five kills and two blocks, Bennett with four kills and four blocks.
Peters said that after a week of injuries and setbacks, and despite the defeat, the team played a lot better than it had been.”Even though we lost, we are still improving,” Peters said. “We just take what we’ve been given and work with it.”
The team then defeated Tulane 3-0 (30-28, 30-27, 30-26) in College Station, Texas in its final match of the regular season.Peters led the Mustangs (12-15, 8-7 C-USA) with 11 kills and five blocks, giving her 140 total blocks for the season, an SMU single-season record, and making her the single-season leader in solo blocks with 34 and blocks per game with 1.41.
Kons gave the team 32 assists, seven digs and five kills in the win, while Evanco tallied 10 digs. Zener added 10 kills and five blocks, followed by Giubilato with seven kills and five blocks.
Bennett recorded five blocks and three kills, while Larkan gave six digs and five kills in the SMU victory.
Peters said any team in the conference is capable of beating any other team, depending on who wants the win more. She also said the Mustangs are physically ready and able to come out as the victors.
“Anyone can take it,” Peters said. “Potentially, we have the chance to win it.”
The Mustang volleyball team begins C-USA Tournament play against Houston at 8 p.m. on Thursday at Autry Court at Rice.
