Oct. 21, 2007
NCAA Box Score
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Cumulative Season Stats
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DALLAS (SMU)--Tulsa handed the Mustangs a stunning loss Sunday, as they battled back from a two-game deficit to beat the Ponies, 3-2 (20-30, 26-30, 30-19, 30-27, 15-7). Three Mustangs recorded double-doubles in the match, despite the loss.
SMU falls to 14-10 on the season, 4-6 in C-USA, while Tulsa improves to 20-5, 8-2 in conference play.
Caitlin Rainbird led the offense, hitting .255 and tallying her ninth double-double of the season, second of the weekend. Rainbird pounded out 24 kills and 14 digs along with two block assists and two aces. Freshman Kathryn Wilkerson managed her 16th double-double of the season and second of the weekend with her 14 kills and 13 digs. She also added three block assists. Setter Madison Hill recorded her first double-double of the season with 47 assists and 15 digs.
The Mustangs dominated game one, holding Tulsa to just .088 hitting. Though the Golden Hurricane kept the game close through the first 24 points, SMU was able to put as many as seven points between the teams. Tulsa closed the gap a little, getting to within five, but SMU scored the last six straight points, shutting the Hurricane down. The Mustangs hit .359 in game one, with 19 kills on 39 swings.
The second game was more of the same as the Ponies out-hit the Hurricane .231-.143. SMU took the first three points and never gave up the lead. The Mustangs strung six points together, driving the score to 9-3, forcing Tulsa to take a timeout. But momentum was on SMU's side, as the Mustangs never allowed the Hurricane any closer than four points.
Tulsa came out of the break looking to avoid the sweep. The Hurricane got on the board first in game three, but the Mustangs tied the game at 5-5. The teams tied three more times, but Tulsa came out on top and put a distance of five points between the teams. A combination of too many errors and a strong showing by the Hurricane proved to be the Mustangs' undoing, as Tulsa put the match away.
Game four was close, as the Mustangs took the first four points of the match. SMU held on to the lead through the 17th point of the game, but Tulsa was in the middle of a six-point run and the Hurricane took the edge, 11-9. SMU fought back and tied the game at 11 all, but were unable to regain the lead. The Golden Hurricane pulled away, at one time holding a six-point advantage. The Mustangs got to within two, but Tulsa held on and beat the Mustangs, forcing a fifth game.
The abbreviated fifth game saw the Hurricane jump out to a 2-0 lead. SMU got hot again, taking the next four points and taking the lead, 4-2. Tulsa battled back, knotting the score at 4-4. The two teams traded points, but the Hurricane would not back down, taking the lead 8-5. Though the Mustangs were able to score twice more, Tulsa won the game's final five points, putting the game out of reach.
SMU volleyball plays host to Tulane next Friday at 7 p.m. and UTEP next Sunday at 1 p.m. as they continue their five-match homestand. For the complete schedule and results, log on to SMUMustangs.com.
