Aug. 26, 2005
Box Score
MUNCIE, Ind. (SMU) - The SMU volleyball team opened the 2005 season with a 3-0 (30-22, 30-18,30-26) loss to the host Ball State Cardinals (1-0) in the Nike/Active Ankle Invitational at Worthen Arena on Friday.
The Mustangs (0-1) opened the season with two freshmen and two sophomores in the lineup. Freshman Natalie Peters led the team with a .500 attack percentage on 12 kills and one error in 22 attempts. She also had four blocks, including one solo. Freshman setter Stefanie Kons had 23 assists and seven digs in her first match.
Sophomore outside hitters Rachel Giubilato and Caitlin Rainbird were also in the starting rotation. Rainbird finished with three kills and five digs. Giubilato had six kills and nine digs. Jennette Evanco led the Mustangs with 12 digs in the match.
In the middle, Ashley Zener had six kills and three blocks while hitting .231. Kelly Larkan hit .286 with six kills and seven digs.
The Ponies made a push in game three to get within 28-26 before falling 30-26. The Mustangs outhit Ball State .171 to .159 in the final game, but were unable to pull out the victory. Sophomore setter Madison Hill entered in the middle of the frame and recorded seven kills.
The Mustangs fell 30-18 in the second stanza. Ball State hit .324 with 15 kills while the ponies attacked at a .143 clip with 12 finishers. Peters highlighted the SMU effort with five kills and no errors on 10 attempts in the game. Kons had nine assists and five digs while Evanco followed with four digs.
The Cardinals took game one 30-22. The Mustangs tied the game at 19-19 before Ball State took control. The Mustangs hit .074 in the opening frame. Peters led with three kills while Zener, Larkan, and Giubilato had two each. Kons had nine assists and a kill in her first game.
The Mustangs face Wright State (0-0) at Worthen Arena on Saturday at noon.
