Three Ponies Post Double-Doubles As Volleyball Tops Marshall

[PonyPride]

Three Mustangs Post Double-Doubles As Volleyball Downs Marshall 3-1
Mustangs Even Conference Record At 2-2

Oct. 3, 2009

DALLAS (SMU) - The Mustangs even their Conference record at 2-2 with a 3-1 victory over Marshall (25-23, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20) to improve their home-winning streak to seven games.

Dana Powell led SMU with 15 kills, posting her 12th double-double of the season with 13 digs. Kelli Becerraand Kathryn Wilkerson joined the double-double party. Becerra (10) assisted on 42 kills and recorded 13 digs, while Wilkerson knocked down 11 kills with 17 digs.

The Mustangs (12-6, 2-2 C-USA) took complete control of the match in the third set, coming out of the locker room with the match tied 1-1. SMU went on a 15-6 run to open the set, and never let Marshall (15-4, 3-2 C-USA) within six points during the final stretch, taking a 2-1 lead with the 25-15 victory.

SMU closed out the match with a five-point victory in the fourth set, led by Powell and Kendra Kahanek, who each hit .300 in the frame while combining for nine kills. Up just one point 16-15, the Mustangs rallied to take a three-point lead, 18-15, before out-scoring Marshall 7-5 down the stretch for the win.

The first set was a back-and-forth slugfest. Neither team led by more than two points the entire set, but it was the Mustangs who held the final two-point lead when the dust settled, taking the early advantage with a 25-23 set victory.

Marshall evened the match in the second set with a 25-19 win after hitting .310, their highest percentage of the four sets. The Thundering Herd hit .155 for the match, while SMU was limited to a .160 percentage.

Sidney Stewart posted a match-high 25 digs, and Courtney Manning led all players with seven block assists.

SMU will be in action again Friday when they travel to Houston to take on the Cougars at 7 p.m.

[George S. Patton]

Good for them. Glad they protected the home floor.