The SMU Mustang volleyball team headed to San Marcos this weekend for the Texas State Classic to play Quinnipiac, Texas State and Lamar.

The Mustangs took down Quinnipiac finishing 3-0, but ended the day with a loss to Texas State, 3-1.

Despite this bump, the Mustangs ended the Classic winning 3-0 on Saturday against the Cardinals.

Underclassmen have already begun to shine in this season’s opener, Friday, with sophomores Abbey Bybel scoring nine kills, followed by Avery Acker’s 30 assists.

First-year Janelle Giordano also had eight kills, along with first-year Morgan Heise’s seven digs and four assists.

In the third set, the Bobcats attempted to take down the Mustangs with their first lead, 3-2, but the Mustangs fired back led by junior Caroline Young, who scored five kills in the last set. The Mustangs won with 41 kills of 68 attempts to the Bobcats’ 13 kills of 58 attempts.

Later that day, the Mustangs fell to Texas State, despite impressive leadership from Kristen Stehling scoring 15 kills, Young with 10 and Acker with 40 assists.

In the last match of the Classic SMU’s win showcased once again Young and Bybel both, scoring seven kills. Maddie Lozano, a senior, led the team with a match-high of 10 kills and eight blocks.

The first set started strong as the Mustangs held a 16 point lead that never hit below seven. Within the set, Lozano scored six kills and SMU
finished 25-17.

In the second set, the Mustangs shined with a 21-8 lead with Bybel and Young each scoring 4 kills.

In the final set, the Cardinals were unsuccessful in their attempts to extend the match.

Despite the two-point difference, the Mustangs held off the Cardinals at 18-16, and finished the set with 25-18.

The Mustangs took down the Cardinals impressively winning all three sets.

After playing away at Baylor Tuesday night, the Mustangs host the SMU Classic this weekend, Sept. 6 and 7.