Sept. 16, 2005
Box Score
FULLERTON (SMU) - The SMU Volleyball team fell to the Loyola Marymount Lions on Friday 3-2 (30-24, 26-30, 22-30, 30-19, 15-11) at Titan Gymnasium in Fullerton, Ca., in match one of the Hawthorn Suites Titan Invitational.
The Mustangs (5-6) had four players register double-doubles, led by Caitlin Rainbird's 16 kills and 22 digs. Kelly Larkan contributed 11 kills and 12 digs, Rachel Giubilato tallied 14 kills and 17 digs, and Madison Hill had 58 assists and 17 digs in the loss.
Freshman Natalie Peters also had a strong match for the Mustangs, leading the team with 17 kills and five blocks. Ashley Zener had four blocks and seven kills, while Jennette Evanco led SMU with 34 digs. Evanco's 34 digs tied an SMU record for the most ever in a five-game match and SMU recorded 104 blocks as a team.
The Ponies jumped ahead early in the final game, but the Lions fought back and forced a 5-5 tie. Then LMU tallied six un-answered points to take an 11-5 lead and controlled the rest of the game. Larkan led SMU with three kills in game five.
The Mustangs could not capitalize on their 2-1 advantage entering game four. The Lions controlled the action from the outset and easily won 30-19 to force a deciding game five. Giubilato had five kills in the fourth game to pace SMU, while Hill had 10 assists.
The Mustangs seized the momentum early in game three on the way to a 30-22 victory. Caitlin Rainbird was the star, registering four kills down the stretch and six for the game. Rainbird also served out the match's last six points.
SMU won 30-26 in the second stanza. The Lions jumped out to the early lead and looked to be in control of the match, until SMU grabbed the momentum after a Giubilato kill made the score 24-21 in SMU's favor. The teams traded the next few points until a Peters kill gave SMU a 26-23 lead and another Mustang point forced an LMU timeout. After a Giubilato ace, Peters recorded another block for a 29-23 advantage. The Mustangs needed the six point cushion, as they were able to hold off the Lions for the win.
The Lions grabbed the advantage late to take game one 30-24. SMU came out strong and led at the halfway point 15-12. The Lions then scored four straight points to grab their first lead at 16-15 and took control the rest of the way. The Mustangs hit .262 in the opening frame and Peters led SMU with five kills. Larkan, Rainbird and Giubilato each contributed three kills and Hill had 15 assists.
The SMU volleyball team returns to the court on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT when they take on the host Titans of Cal State-Fullerton in the first of two matches. The Mustangs also face UC-Riverside at 7:30 p.m. CT.
