Aug. 25, 2006
Box Score (PDF)
DALLAS (SMU) - The SMU volleyball team began their season tonight against Prairie View A&M in the SMU Radisson Hotel Invitational at Moody Coliseum. The Mustangs took off from the start and never looked back as they over turned PVAMU in three straight sets, 3-0 (30-17, 30-16, 30-17).
Sophomore Natalie Peters posted impressive numbers as she marked 14 kills (.684). She also had one solo block and assisted in four other blocks.
The Mustangs nailed a remarkable 16 service aces in the game, Peters, Rachel Giubilato and Madison Hill all had three apiece. This tied for fourth in all-time team match highs in service aces.
The outside hitting tandem of Caitlin Rainbird and Giubilato notched 19 of the teams 43 kills, 8 and 11 respectively.
Hill marked 39 assists while also recording eight digs. Rainbird led the team in digs with 15 while Giubilato had nine digs and Jennette Evanco posted seven.
Freshman Kendra Kahanek made her mark on the front line as she posted a .364 attack percentage. The Mustangs posted a .250 attack percentage over the opponents .021.
SMU took off in the first game, quickly nailing down points and towards the middle of game one, the Mustangs went on a 5-0 scoring streak.
In game two PVAMU got as close to the Mustangs as they would for the whole night. SMU posted an attack average of .346 to seal the 30-16 win.
PVAMU could not find the answers for the Mustangs as SMU posted 12 points before PVAMU responded. SMU registered 15 kills, 16 digs and three service aces to win game three, 30-17.
The Mustangs return to the courts on Saturday, Aug. 26 at 1:30 p.m. to take on Louisiana-Monroe in day two of the invitational.
