SMU
UTEP
Volleyball Sweeps UTEP; Clinches Spot In C-USA Tournament
Nov 1 | Volleyball
Nov. 1, 2009
DALLAS (SMU) - The Mustangs clinched a spot in the Conference USA tournament Sunday, sweeping UTEP (25-19, 25-18, 25-19) in Moody Coliseum behind a 14-kill, 10-dig performance by Dana Powell.
The double-double was the 17th of the season for the sophomore. Kendra Kahanek finished with 11 kills, eight digs and four blocks, and Kathryn Wilkerson scored 10 kills and eight digs. Kelli Becerra recorded her 15th double-double with 31 assists and 11 digs.
The Mustangs (18-8, 8-4 C-USA) were in control right from the start, taking a 9-6 lead to start the first set. SMU stretched the gap to 18-11 over the next 14 points, and never let the Miners (10-16, 3-10 C-USA) get back into the set. The Mustangs went on to take a 1-0 lead in the match with the 25-19 victory.
SMU picked up right where they left off, starting the second set with an 11-4 run. UTEP battled to stay in the set, but four points was as close as they could get, 12-8 and again 14-10. The Mustangs out-scored the Miners 5-1 over the next six points to stretch the lead to 19-11. UTEP rallied to cut the lead to five, 21-16, but by that point, SMU's grip on the set was too tight as the Mustangs took the win, 25-18, to go up 2-0 in the match.
UTEP charged out of the locker room in the third set, starting with a 6-0 run, desperately trying to get back into the match. They held on to the advantage, leading 10-5 before SMU fought back. The Mustangs scored the next six points to take an 11-10 lead. Neither team was able to gain an advantage, matching their opponent point for point until the set was tied 17-17. It was then that the Mustangs made the push that ended the match. SMU out-scored the Miners 8-2 over the final 10 points to take a 25-19 win to sweep the match.
The Mustangs will take to the road for their next three matches, starting with Southern Miss Friday at 7 p.m. in Hattiesburg, Miss. SMU will also take on UCF and Tulsa before returning home for Senior Day against Tulsa Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.
