Volleyball Host Rice And Houston
Oct 21 | Volleyball
Oct. 21, 2009
DALLAS (SMU) - The Mustangs volleyball team will face Rice and Houston in a pair of Conference USA rematches this weekend, after sweeping Houston on Oct. 9 and falling to Rice 3-1 on Oct. 10. SMU's nine-match home-winning streak will be on the line against Rice, the last team to beat the Mustangs in Moody Coliseum, taking a 3-1 decision on Nov. 2, 2008. Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Owls come into Friday night's match just a half game ahead of the Mustangs (15-7, 5-3 C-USA), who are currently fifth in C-USA, with a 6-3 record, 14-6 overall. Rice narrowly edged the Mustangs in the first two sets of the first match, winning 25-22 and 25-23, before the Mustangs took the third 33-31. Rice held on to take the fourth 25-18 to win the match. The Mustangs are just 8-19 against the Owls all-time.
A day earlier, the Mustangs swept the Cougars, who are now a game and a half behind the Mustangs in the standings. Houston is 4-5 in league play and 7-17 overall. SMU has taken five of the last seven from the Cougars to improve to 5-9 in the series.
Senior middle blocker Kendra Kahanek enters the weekend leading the conference in blocks, with 1.14 per set, and needs just five total blocks to become the all-time career record holder at SMU. Natalie Peters (2005-08) currently holds the record with 484 career blocks.
The Mustangs will be teaming with the Side-Out Foundation Saturday against Houston to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research. Tickets have been reduced from six to three dollars, and fans are asked to wear pink to show their support. Donations will be accepted at the door. The team will be wearing pink jerseys, which will be auctioned during the event. A football autographed by Mustangs head coach June Jones and volleyballs signed by the team will also be among the auction items.
There will be a special recognition for survivors between the second and third sets during the Houston match, and a limited amount of pink miniature volleyballs as well as pink wristbands with the phrase "Mustangs United For A Cure" will be handed out during the match.
