SMU Volleyball To Host SMU Radisson Invitational This Weekend
Sep 6 | Volleyball
Sept. 6, 2007
The Mustangs will host the Radisson Invitational this weekend, bringing the SEC's Ole Miss (7-0) to town, along with the Big 12's Baylor (4-3), the SWAC's Prairie View A&M (4-3) and the Southland Conference's Sam Houston State (2-2).
SMU will face off against Ole Miss Friday night at 7 p.m. at Moody Coliseum. Saturday, the Mustangs will take on Prairie View A&M at 1 p.m. and Baylor at 7 p.m.
Last time out, the Mustangs (6-1) got handed their first loss of the season by the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks. The match went to five games, but the Mustangs were unable to keep the streak alive. Despite the loss, three SMU players notched double-doubles. Setter Stefanie Kons had 62 assists and 17 digs, Rachel Giubilato pounded 22 kills and 17 digs and freshman Kathryn Wilkerson hit 12 kills and 19 digs. The Mustangs out-hit the Ladyjacks, .209 to .181, but the Ladyjacks out-blocked SMU 13.0 to 9.0, which was the difference maker in the match.
Ole Miss is undefeated so far this season and the Mustangs will look to change that Friday night. Last weekend, Ole Miss took its second tournament title in as many weeks. Junior outside hitter Nicole Mahan paced the Rebels' offense last weekend against Wright State, with 28 kills, 10 digs and a hitting percetage of .381. Senior middle blocker Lauran Moffett contributed 11 kills in the match. Tara Langley posted a team-best 20 digs. Mahan earned All-Tournament honors and senior outside hitter Katie Kramer earned Tournament MVP honors. Last season, the Rebels earned their first NCAA Tournament berth, but fell to fifth-seeded USC in the first round. This marks the first time these teams have met since 1998, when the Mustangs beat the Rebels, 3-2.
Prairie View A&M has started 2007 with a 4-3 record and is riding a two-match win streak, having taken wins at Texas Southern (3-1) and against UL Monroe (3-0). Shannon Harrison leads the defense with 107 digs on the season, while Tamika Newman paces the offense with 69 kills and 3.0 kills per game. The Lady Panthers and the Mustangs faced off for the first time last season, with SMU taking the match, 3-0.
Baylor is 4-3 heading into this weekend's tournament, having lost their last two matches to Mississippi State (2-3) and Oregon (0-3). Katie Sanders leads the team in kills with 126, while Sarah Grace has compiled 131 digs on the season. Sanders averages 4.67 kills per game, while middle blocker Anna Breyfogle is second with 2.85 kills per game. Breyfogle was named to the All-Tournament team in the Baylor Invitational last weekend for her efforts. Saturday night marks the first time these teams have met since 2003, when the Mustangs pulled out the win, 3-1. In all, the teams have squared off five times, with Baylor holding the series edge, 2-3.
Sam Houston State enters this tournament with a record of 2-2. Cynthia Yarotsky leads the Bearkats' offense with 4.27 kills per game, followed by Laura McLung's 2.85 kills per game. Yarotsky and Anna Ferguson were both named to the All-Tournament team during their last outing. However, Ferguson injured her knee during the tournament, making her status doubtful for the rest of their season.
Because the football team is also playing Saturday, fans are encouraged to park in the DART lot at Mockingbird Station and take the free shuttle to Moody Coliseum. Faculty and staff can park in the Moody garage with a valid SMU parking sticker.
For the complete tournament schedule and results, log on to SMUMustangs.com.
