Volleyball Comes From Behind To Defeat Montana 3-2

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Volleyball Comes From Behind To Defeat Montana 3-2
Mustangs Win Three Straight Sets To Take Opener At Montana Invite

Sept. 11, 2009

MISSOULA, Mont. (SMU) - The Mustangs climbed out of a 0-2 hole, taking the final three sets in dramatic fashion to spoil Montana's home opener in the first match of the Montana Invitational at the Adams Center. Sophomore Dana Powell led the charge, finishing with 19 kills, 10 in the last two sets.

With a combination of young talent and senior leadership, the Mustangs (5-4) ran away with the fifth set, closing the match on an 11-6 run. It was the first set in which the Mustangs didn't let the Grizzlies (3-5) score more than two points in a row.

Senior Kendra Kahanek had a season-high seven blocks and added 13 kills, while freshman Courtney Manning tied her career-high 12 kills and added three blocks. Kelli Becerra finished the match with her third double-double of the season, assisting kills 44 times and notching 17 digs.

In a thrilling fourth set, the Mustangs erased a 23-20 deficit to take a 26-24 win, forcing a decisive fifth set. Dana Powell had eight kills in the set, taking her match total to 17, but it was the two thunderous shots she sent to the floor for the final two points of the set that were the biggest.

It was the Mustangs who went on a late run in the third set, staying alive with a 25-18 victory. SMU scored seven of the last eight points, including six in a row, busting open an 18-17 lead. Carly Bergquist had two big aces during the span, and Manning had four kills in the set.

The Grizzlies scored the final two points for the second set in a row, taking a 2-0 lead in the match with the 25-22 win. The Mustangs led 13-10 in the set, needing a win to tie the match, but the Grizzlies clawed back. Montana scored four points in a row, taking a 17-15 lead, and then scored six of the last eight points to push the door further shut.

In a first set that went back and forth, the Mustangs fought hard but eventually fell 25-23 to the Grizzlies. Trailing 22-19, SMU scored three straight to tie the match. The Mustangs could only manage one more point, as Montana closed the set with a kill and an ace. Manning led the Mustangs in the opening stanza with four kills in five attacks.

The Mustangs will take on Arizona State at 6 p.m. Friday, before closing out play at the Montana Invitational Saturday against North Dakota at 6 p.m.