SMU Volleyball downs UCF in four (Photo by Austin Kilgore, The Daily Campus)

The Mustang volleyball team defeated the University of Central Florida by a score of 3-1 (19-30, 32-30, 30-27, 30-23) Tuesday night at Moody Coliseum.

Freshman middle blocker Natalie Peters led SMU with 11 blocks, one of which was the match-winner. She also had nine kills and four digs.

Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Giubilato contributed yet another double-double, her 11th of the season, with 19 kills and 20 digs.

Sophomore outside hitter Caitlin Rainbird also had a double-double, tallying 13 kills and 17 digs.

Freshman setter Stefanie Kons, in her second start of the season, earned her first double-double with 54 assists and 14 digs.

Junior libero Jennette Evanco tied an SMU record for digs in a four-game match with 27.

Senior middle blockers Kelly Larkan and Ashley Zener had 20 kills, 11 digs, and three blocks.

Coach Lisa Seifert said the team has been trying to develop a positive approach to the game, specifically with regard to players’ mentalities.

“We have been trying to focus on what’s next rather than what just happened,” Seifert said.

Peters also referred to this positive approach as something on which the team worked during practice this week. It is also what they discussed in the locker room between games Tuesday night.

“We decided to pull it together,” Peters said. “We’ve been working on taking a more positive approach to the game, so after the locker room, that all came together.”

The Mustangs (6-9) will hit the court again this weekend when they travel to Houston to face Conference USA opponents Rice and Houston.