Nov. 9, 2007
Cumulative Season Stats 
NCAA Box Score
HOUSTON (SMU)--The SMU volleyball team beat Houston Friday night in a five-game thriller, 3-2 (23-30, 30-24, 30-27, 28-30, 17-15). The win boosts the Mustangs to 16-13, 6-9 in Conference USA.
Three Mustangs recorded double-doubles in a match that featured a balanced attack. Senior Caitlin Rainbird hit 23 kills and 21 digs, freshman Kathryn Wilkerson had 18 kills and 17 digs and senior setter Madison Hill racked up 22 assists and 15 digs.
Four Mustangs tallied double-digit kills and five Mustangs recorded double-digit digs. In addition to Rainbird and Wilkerson, freshman Caitlin Adair managed 11 kills and junior Kendra Kahanek added 10. On the defensive side, sophomore libero Candice Davis racked up 27 digs and junior Carly Bergquist added 10.
Game one saw the Cougars score first, but the Mustangs kept it close, tying the game five times and taking the lead twice. At the game's 13th point, with the Mustangs ahead 7-5, the Cougars went on a run, reeling off eight straight points and taking the lead, 13-7. SMU got to within three points seven times and within two points twice, but were unable to catch up.
The second game had a different script. This time SMU scored first and the teams tied twice before Houston built a two-point lead. The Mustangs came back and tied the score, 5-5, before building a four-point lead of their own. Houston cut the Ponies' lead to two, but SMU was able to build and retain a sizeable lead, putting game two out of reach for the Cougars.
Game three started with the Mustangs taking the first three points of the game and building an edge. Houston tied the game at 5-5, touching off a pattern that would continue through the next several points. The teams tied nine more times and Houston took a brief lead, but the Mustangs were able to hang on for the win.
In the fourth game, Houston won five of the game's first six points, building a 5-1 advantage. The Mustangs chipped away, getting within one point twice and within two points six times. SMU was never able to overcome the deficit though, and the Cougars held on for the win, forcing a fifth game.
Game five saw the Cougars jump out to a quick lead, winning the game's first four points. Houston built a commanding 8-3 lead, but the Mustangs took five of the next six points to get within a point, 9-8. The Cougars won the next four points, building their lead again, 13-8. But again SMU struck back, winning three points of their own and cutting the Cougars' lead to two. Houston took the next point, but the Mustangs won six of the final seven points to beat Houston in extra points.
The Mustangs play their final regular season game Saturday night at Rice at 7pm. For the complete schedule and results, log on to SMUMustangs.com.
