Sept. 16, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Indiana (SMU) -
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The Mustangs were not able to topple Indiana in the final game of Indiana Credit Union Invitational as they fell 3-0 (30-26, 30-24, 30-24). SMU is now 9-5 on the season as they went 2-1 in the Invitational. This weekend was the first meeting between the Mustangs and all three squads in the Invitational. Rachel Giubilato and Caitlin Rainbird were named to the All-Tournament Team as the Mustangs finished second in the Invitational.
The Mustangs were lead by Rachel Giubilato as she posted another double-double performance with 20 kills and 13 digs. Caitlin Rainbird posted nine kills and six digs while Adrienne Zielasko had seven kills and three blocks.
The Mustangs had a tough start with Indiana taking the early lead. SMU put up a fight causing nine ties and three lead changes. The Mustangs posted the first point of game one, but with the first few points tied almost every other point, it was Indiana that pulled away. The score was tied at 5-5 with the Hoosiers continuing to inch ahead. The Mustangs came back to tie the score at 18-18 for the fifth tie but it wasn't until the ninth tie at 25-25 that the Mustangs took the one point lead before Indiana rallied back for the 30-26 win. Giubilato had six kills and six digs while Rainbird posted five kills and Zielasko posted four kills and had one block assists along with Kara Cornelius.
In game two, there were seven ties and four lead changes before any team touched ten points. Indiana began with the lead but the Mustangs took over at 9-9. With a few Indiana errors and a block from Kahanek and Cornelius, the Mustangs had a brief lead before Indiana took over again at the 11-11 mark. SMU tied the score again at 15-15 but Indiana posted a couple of series with unanswered points. The Hoosiers fought to keep the Mustangs off, but SMU was not able to overcome Indiana, falling in game three 30-24. Overall, there were 12 score ties with five lead changes. Giubilato posted eight more kills with two more digs and Zielasko had two more kills with two more blocks. Kons had two more digs and two blocks.
With Indiana taking the first lead in the game three, the Mustangs battled back to tie the score at five apiece. A few errors haunted SMU giving Indiana the lead back. With a block from Giubilato the score became tied again at 11-11 as the Mustangs tried to get back on top. After a kill and error from Indiana, Rainbird and then Giubilato put down kills to tie the game at 15-15 but Indiana continued to pull forward. SMU stayed within two to four points for the rest of the game but were never able to recover.
The Mustangs will return to the courts Friday, Sep. 22 at UCF, a Conference USA opponent. Then will return to Dallas for a four match home streak starting Sunday, Sep. 24 against Southern Miss.
