Oct. 12, 2007
NCAA Box Score
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2007 Cumulative Stats
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HATTIESBURG, Miss. (SMU)-- The SMU volleyball team handed the Golden Eagles a loss, 3-1 (32-30, 30-16, 25-30, 30-16) improving their record to 13-8, 3-4 in Conference USA. Southern Miss continues its slide, falling to 10-13, 1-6 C-USA.
Kathryn Wilkerson and Caitlin Rainbird both recorded double-doubles and broke career records in the match. Wilkerson had a team-leading 26 kills with 14 digs, while Rainbird contributed 18 kills and 23 digs. Wilkerson's 26 kills landed her in fourth place all-time for kills in a four-game match and her 30.5 points puts her second all-time in points per four-game match, only behind Rachel Giubilato. Rainbird's 23 digs represented a career-high for a four-game match. On the defensive side, Carly Bergquist added 23 digs and Stefanie Kons notched 54 assists.
The first game was the closest as the teams battled through five ties. Southern Miss took the first two points of the game, but the Mustangs tied the game at 5-5. SMU built up an eight-point lead at one point, but the Golden Eagles pecked away, cutting the Mustangs' lead to two. The Mustangs made a run, but Southern Miss got to within one, forcing the game to extra points. SMU was finally able to put the game out of reach, 32-30.
Game two was all SMU, as the Mustangs took the first six points straight. The Mustangs dominated play and the Golden Eagles were never able to get closer than six points. SMU hit .441 in game two and held Southern Miss to just .119.
Southern Miss took the third game from SMU, out-hitting the Mustangs .229-.145. The teams worked through five ties in game three, but the Golden Eagles outlasted the Mustangs, scoring six of the game's final eight points.
But the Ponies turned in another dominant performance in game four. Southern Miss kept it close through the first 19 points, but SMU pulled away, taking five unanswered points. The Golden Eagles scored two, quickly followed by three SMU points, forcing Southern Miss into a timeout. Momentum was on the Mustangs' side, however, and Southern Miss never got closer than eight points again.
The Mustangs continue their road trip, heading to Orlando to take on UCF Sunday at 12pm CT. For the complete schedule and results, log on to SMUMustangs.com.
