The SMU volleyball team ended its postseason run with a 3-0 (30-21, 30-16, 30-15) loss to Tulsa in the quarterfinal round of the C-USA tournament on Friday. The no. 1 seeded Golden Hurricane team fell in the semifinals of the C-USA tournament to UAB.

The Mustangs finished their season 17-15 overall. The Mustangs dealt with injuries early in the year, mainly a season-ending injury to senior Jeanette Evanco, which forced the team to re-evaluate its line-up. As a result, freshmen Kendra Kahanek, Candice Davis and Adrienne Zielasko were given a lot more playing time than rookies tend to receive. Although the players stepped up and contributed more than expected, the Mustangs experienced a roller coaster of a year. The Tulsa game was the end of that ride for SMU’s volleyball team.

SMU’s numbers against Tulsa were relatively low in comparison to other games throughout the season. None of the Mustangs posted double-doubles in the match. Sophomore Natalie Peters led the Mustangs with eight kills in addition to her three digs and two blocks for a total contribution of nine points.

Junior Rachel Giubilato wasn’t far behind Peters with seven kills and 10 digs while Madison Hill notched 21 assists and one kill. Freshman libero Candice Davis had 14 digs in the match, which was just under half of her career-high 32 digs.

Three Tulsa players earned double-digit kills. Golden Hurricane junior Kassiana Urnau tallied 11 digs along with her 11 kills. Junior setter Julia Silva directed the Golden Hurricane offense with 28 assists and 10 kills in the match.

While SMU’s C-USA play is over for the 2006 season, the Mustangs are still eligible for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. Final selections for the NCAA tournament will be announced Monday, Nov. 26.