Volleyball Cages Cougars In Houston

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Volleyball Cages Cougars In Houston
Mustangs Battle Rice Saturday

Oct. 9, 2009

HOUSTON (SMU) - Led by Dana Powell's 13-kill performance, the Mustangs swept Houston on the road, holding off a Cougar charge in the first set before earning the sweep (25-23, 25-20, 25-21).

Powell put on a hitting clinic, hitting .458 for the match, a new career high for the sophomore, eclipsing the .406 she posted in a 3-2 loss to Northern Colorado in the 2009 season opener on Aug. 28. Powell added seven digs and two blocks in the victory.

SMU improved to 13-6, 3-2 Conference USA with their fourth sweep of the season, while dropping Houston to 6-15, 2-3 C-USA. The Mustangs recorded 14 team blocks in the match, led by Kendra Kahanek's 10 blocks. The senior was one kill away from her first double-double of the season, recording nine.

The Mustangs overcame a four-point deficit early in the first set, trailing 7-3 before tying the set 9-9. The set remained in the balance until SMU broke open a 16-16 tie with a 4-1 run to take a 21-17 lead. The Cougars cut the lead to one, 21-20, but SMU held off the charge to take the early advantage with a 25-23 opening set win.

The Mustangs charged out on an 8-2 run to open the second set. Houston battled back, cutting the lead to two points, 12-10, but the Mustangs stretched the lead back to 6, 18-12. SMU held the lead, taking a commanding 2-0 match lead with the 25-20 set victory.

Houston didn't go away easily in the third set, tying the third frame at 10-10 after the Mustangs came out of the break on a 7-3 run. SMU opened the back to four, 17-13, but again the Cougars battled back, tying the set, 21-21. The Mustangs slammed the door with four points in a row, taking the match with a 25-21 win in the final set.

SMU will finish the road trip at Rice Saturday at 7 p.m. before returning home to take on UAB Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.

[George S. Patton]

Keep it going, ladies. 3 consecutive wins.