The SMU volleyball team (11-12, 7-4 C-USA) traveled east over the weekend, where it faced Conference USA opponents ECU and Marshall.
The Mustangs came back against ECU after being down two games to win 3-2 (21-30, 17-30, 31-29, 30-23, 15-9) Friday night in Greenville, N.C. This win brought the team back to .500 for the first time in six weeks and extended its winning streak to five matches.
Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Giubilato earned her league-leading 17th double-double of the season with 18 kills and 17 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Caitlin Rainbird also notched a double-double with 14 kills and 11 digs, as did senior middle blocker Kelly Larkan with 17 kills and 11 digs.
Freshman middle blocker Natalie Peters led the team in blocks with five, while also contributing 14 kills. Senior middle blocker Stephanie Bennett hit .417 with six kills, while junior libero Jennette Evanco had 11 digs. Freshman setter Stefanie Kons recorded 54 assists, while sophomore setter Madison Hill had six.
Peters said the fight from behind was all mental, and the girls told each other in the locker room between games that they were better and could win this match.
“We decided we were going to win, and we walked out on the court and won,” Peters said.
The Mustangs faced C-USA leader Marshall Sunday afternoon, when they lost 3-0 (30-25, 30-24, 30-15) in Huntington, W.Va.
Peters led the team with four blocks and 15 kills, hitting .345. Giubilato had 11 kills and seven digs, while Larkan had three kills and six digs. Bennett also showed signs of strength with five blocks and three kills.
Kons led the Mustangs with 31 assists, while Evanco contributed 16 digs in the loss.
Peters said that while the team is capable of winning every match, it must first strengthen its mentality.
“Physically, we are the best team in the conference,” Peters said, “but mentally we are not there yet.”
The Mustangs host Rice on Friday and Houston Sunday afternoon.
At Friday’s match the team will celebrate SMU volleyball’s 10th anniversary, while Sunday will be Senior Day, honoring Larkan, Bennett and Ashley Zener.
