Volleyball Runs Wild Over UT-San Antonio, Wins 3-1

[PonyPride]

Volleyball Runs Wild Over UT-San Antonio, Wins 3-1

Aug. 29, 2009

DENTON, Texas (SMU) - Dana Powell recorded her third double-double in as many games with 12 kills and 12 digs, leading the Mustangs to a 3-1 victory (17-25, 25-11, 25-10, 25-14) over in-state rival UT-San Antonio. With the win, SMU improved to 1-2 in the season opening North Texas Mean Green Invitational.

Kendra Kahanek led the Mustangs with 13 kills and recorded four blocks, while Kathryn Wilkerson added 11 kills, six digs and two block. Kelli Becerra scored 42 assists and seven digs, and Sidney Stewart added a match-high 14 digs.

The Mustangs kept their foot on the gas after the third set, opening the fourth set with a 12-4 run, before closing the match with a 25-14 set win.

It was all SMU in the third set as the Mustangs sent thunderous shot after thunderous shot down on their opponent's side of the floor, cruising to a 25-10 set win to take a 2-1 match lead. After UTSA served the first point of the match, the Mustangs held the Roadrunners to just nine more service points, with only three coming in consecutive order.

All the shots that didn't fall inside the lines for the Mustangs in the first set found their way to the floor of the North Texas Volleyball Center in the second set as the Mustangs rode a 12-3 run to even the match at 1-1 with a 25-11 set victory. After committing eight errors in the first set with a .143 hitting percentage, SMU blasted a .520 average, while holding UTSA to a .000 hitting percentage.

The Roadrunners opened the first set on a 6-1 run, and by the time the Mustangs increased their intensity to match that of their in-state rivals, UT-San Antonio had built a margin the Mustangs would never overcome. Jessica Oliver ended the run with a thunderous kill, and the Mustangs went on to cut the lead to two, 9-7. With the score 11-9 UTSA, the Roadrunners turned up the heat to finish the set on a 14-8 run to close the first set.

The Mustangs return to action for their home opener Wednesday when they host North Texas in Moody Coliseum at 7 p.m.