Sept. 14, 2007
DURHAM, N.H. (SMU)--The SMU volleyball team is back to its winning ways, as it overtook the Syracuse Orange, 3-2 (30-21, 17-30, 30-19, 28-30, 15-11), in day one of the New Hampshire Invitational. The Mustangs improved their record to 9-3, while the Orange fell to 7-5.
Three Mustangs recorded double-doubles in the match and setter Stefanie Kons missed a double-double by one dig. Rachel Giubilato pounded out 21 kills to go with 23 digs, Kathryn Wilkerson had 18 kills and 23 digs and Caitlin Rainbird added 10 kills and 15 digs.
In the first game, the Mustangs took the first two points before allowing the Orange on the board. SMU maintained a lead until the game's 18th point, when the Orange knotted the score at nine a piece. The two teams battled over the next 11 points, neither taking more than a two-point lead over the other. Finally, the Mustangs started to pull away on a kill by Rachel Giubilato. SMU kept applying the pressure and the Orange were unable to respond. Giubilato tallied five kills in the first game to help put Syracuse away, while Kathryn Wilkerson picked up seven digs.
Game two started differently, with Syracuse getting on the board first. The Mustangs responded with a point of their own, but the Orange reeled off five straight points, forcing SMU into a timeout. The Mustangs struggled with the Syracuse offensive effort, with the Orange scoring two more points before SMU could manage a second point. The Mustangs tried to come back, but the Orange proved too powerful in the second game. The Orange held the Mustangs to just .024 hitting in game two, but Wilkerson managed five kills and hit a team-best .273.
The back-and-forth battle continued in game three, as the Mustangs got on the board first to open the game. Syracuse kept the game close through the first 12 points, but SMU edged away, building a four-point lead. The Orange mounted a comeback, scoring three more points and cutting the Mustangs' lead to one. But SMU held on and pushed ahead, taking the third game, 30-19.
The fourth game was a true duel, as neither team ever gained more than a four-point lead over the other at any time. SMU scored first, but the Orange quickly followed suit. The two teams stayed neck and neck throughout the game, but the Orange finally prevailed, 30-28. Giubilato notched 10 kills in the game, while Kons racked up 13 assists.
Game five began with the Orange scoring first and building a two-point lead. But the Mustangs quickly answered, reeling off three straight points to take the lead, 6-3, and force the Orange into a timeout. The Mustangs eventually built their lead to 11-7, forcing a second Syracuse timeout. SMU kept the pressure on and took the game, 15-11.
The Mustangs are back in action Saturday, facing Holy Cross at 9 a.m. and New Hampshire at 6 p.m. in day two of the New Hampshire Invitational. Log on to SMUMustangs.com for complete schedule and results.
