Kahanek Breaks Block Record In Volleyball Win Over Rice

[PonyPride]

Kahanek Breaks Block Record While Leading Volleyball To 3-2 Win Over Rice
Seifert Gets Career Win 209, Climbs To Fifth All-Time At SMU

DALLAS (SMU) - Kendra Kahanek became the career blocks leader at SMU with six blocks to lead the Mustangs to a 3-2 come-from-behind win over Rice in Moody Coliseum (25-23, 21-25, 19-25, 25-22, 15-7). Kahanek pushed her career total to 486, surpassing Natalie Peters' mark of 484 set in 2008.

With the win, the Mustangs improved to 16-7, 6-3 in Conference USA, giving head coach Lisa Seifert 209 career wins, tying former men's tennis coach Dennis Ralston for fifth all-time at SMU.

The Mustangs climbed to fourth in the conference standings, while Rice (14-7, 6-4 C- USA) fell to fifth. Three Mustangs finished with double-doubles in the win, led by Kathryn Wilkerson's team-high 15 kills combined with 20 digs for her eighth double-double of the season. Dana Powell finished with 13 kills and 23 digs for her 15th of the season, while Kelli Becerra recorded her 13th with 48 assists and 20 digs.

The Mustangs exploded in the fifth set. Trailing 5-3, SMU scored seven-straight points to take a 10-5 lead. They never let Rice gain traction, taking the match with the 15-7 victory in the deciding set, stretching SMU's home winning streak to 10 matches. SMU hit .524 in the final set, while holding Rice to a .190 percentage, the Owls' lowest of the match.

After falling behind early in the first set, the Mustangs found themselves trailing 20-13, in danger of falling behind 1-0 in the match. SMU stormed back, cutting the lead to three, 21-18, before out-scoring the Owls 7-2 down the stretch to take the first set 25-23. Wilkerson led SMU with five kills and added five digs in the set.

The Owls opened the second set with another early lead, going up 12-6. The Mustangs again fought their way back into the set, and trailed by just two, 23-21, but couldn't keep the Owls off the board in the end. Rice scored the final two points to take the set 25-21 and even the match 1-1.

Both teams came out motivated in the third set, trying to take the crucial set. Nearly midway into the set, it was still in the balance with the Owls leading by two, 8-6. It was at that point that the Owls took off. Rice stretched the lead to six, 17-11, and held off the SMU's charge to take the set 25-19 for a 2-1 lead in the match.

In the fourth set, it was the Mustangs taking the early lead, breaking a 7-7 tie with five straight points to take a 12-7 lead. Kahanek became the all-time blocks leader at SMU when she team with Jessica Oliver that gave the Mustangs an 11-7 lead. The Owls fought to end the match, tying the set 18-18, but the Mustangs pulled ahead by two, 23-21, with a block by Powell and Courtney Manning. SMU held on to force a fifth set with the 25-22 win.

SMU will conclude the weekend against Houston Saturday at 7 p.m.

[Ikus]

Congratulations, Kendra!
A record like this not only reveals a player's talent, but the hard work necessary to be productive over a long career.

[George S. Patton]

They continue to play well. Beat Houston and the latter half of the CUSA can set up well for them for tournament seeding.

[smuvball12]

CONGRATS KENDRA! Well deserved!!! Wish I was there to witness. Coming from a past teammate she is an awesome player and a class act. I'm so proud!
<3 Rach