Mustang Volleyball Gears Up for Final Home Stand
Oct 30 | Volleyball
Oct. 30, 2008
DALLAS (SMU)-SMU volleyball (12-13, 4-7 C-USA) will play their last home matches of the 2008-09 season this weekend when they take on Houston (14-10, 6-5 C-USA) this Friday at 7 p.m. and Rice (17-5, 8-3 C-USA) on Sunday at 1 p.m. Friday night witnesses a special recognition ceremony for senior Natalie Peters' achievements in blocking, while on Sunday, the Mustangs will host Senior Night and Dig Pink, an event promoting breast cancer awareness.
Senior Send Off
Seniors Natalie Peters and Stefanie Kons will be honored during Sunday's match against Houston for their contributions to the SMU volleyball program over the last four years. Both Kons and Peters made an immediate impact upon entering the program as starting freshmen, with Kons running in a 6-2 offense and Peters attacking from the middle.
Since their start in 2005, both athletes have proven their worth and written their roles in the history books. Kons will leave SMU as part of the top five in assists and assists per set in the career categories. As of this week, Kons has recorded 3,038 total assists and 9.12 assists per set, which rank fourth in their respective categories.
Peters' contributions to SMU's blocking game have caused her to become the school's all-time greatest blocker, as she broke three blocking records in the career categories this season. Peters now owns the record for total blocks (460), solo blocks (80), and block assists (380).
Getting a Handle on Houston
Last time out, Houston disposed of the Mustangs on the Cougs' home court in four sets. For Houston, senior Justine Farmer had 20 kills and 15 digs, while junior Kinsey Cave recorded 17 kills to oust the Mustangs. In the match, sophomore Mustang Kathryn Wilkerson gathered a team-high nine kills, and Peters and Kons pulled down two blocks apiece.
In SMU's favor, the Cougars have dropped their last four of five conference road matches. Unfortunately for the Mustangs, Houston middle blocker Lucy Charuk has stepped up the competition; Charuk now leads C-USA in blocks per set with 1.70. In the nation, Charuk is currently ranked 20th with an overall season average of 1.33.
Reasoning With Rice
The Owls have been exceptional in their last half of the season, going for seven wins in their last eight matches, and leading C-USA in kills and digs. Rice swept the Mustangs on their home court on Oct.4 with Owl Asheleigh McCord registering 13 kills to lead the offense and libero Tracey Lam digging 19 attacks. SMU's Wilkerson had a strong offensive night recording 12 kills, while freshman libero Sidney Stewart had a team-high 14 digs.
Setting It Up, So They Can Knock It Down
Freshman setter Kelli Becerra has enjoyed a late surge in productivity in the last three matches, as the Mustang offense has shifted to a 5-1. Becerra set a season- and career-high 33 assists against Marshall this past Friday, only to turn around on Sunday and do it all over again with 54.
Keeping Up With Kahanek
Junior Kendra Kahanek has consistently and relentlessly stayed put on the NCAA top 50 blocks per set list throughout the season. Kahanek improved her standing this week by moving into the 32nd spot with an overall blocks per set average of 1.23.
