Box Score
Season Stats
DALLAS (SMU) -- SMU fell to No. 17 Arizona 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 27-25, 25-20) Friday night in the second round of the SMU DoubleTree Classic in Moody Coliseum. Morgan Heise had a match-high 36 digs in the effort, four shy of the American Athletic Conference record, but the Wildcats still managed 62 kills in the win.
Arizona ended the match with a 25-20 win in the fourth set, blocking SMU's attacks on each of the last two points. The Wildcats took an 11-6 lead to start the set, continuing on the momentum built with the comeback effort in the third set. SMU cut the deficit to two, 12-10, but couldn't get any closer.
SMU held Arizona to a .187 attack percentage, recording 99 digs as a team, but hit just .077 as Arizona posted 112 digs. Abbey Bybel posted her second double-double in as many matches with 11 kills and 17 digs, and Avery Acker also posted her second of the season with 38 assists and 13 digs. Janelle Giordano had 11 kills, nine digs and four blocks, hitting above .400 for the second time in two matches.
The Mustangs scored three straight points with Arizona sitting on 24, but were unable to complete the comeback as the Wildcats held on for a 25-23 victory in the first set. Arizona took an 11-5 lead to start the set, and continued to lead by six needing just two points to win the set, 23-17. The Mustangs fought back to within one, 24-23, but the SMU attack attempt landed just outside the line.
SMU held on for a 25-22 victory in the second set, thwarting Arizona's attempt for a late comeback. With the Mustangs leading 23-20, Arizona rallied for the next two points, but back-to-back kills gave SMU the win. SMU scored four of the first five points, and stretched the lead to five, 16-11. With the lead still five, 19-14, Arizona scored five unanswered points to tie the score, but the Mustangs didn't surrender the lead and evened the match with the victory.
In the third set, the Wildcats were able to complete the comeback, erasing a 23-18 lead to win 27-25. SMU had three attempts to score the winning point, but each time Arizona was up to the task, winning the set with a pair of blocks for the final two points. Arizona took a 6-2 lead to start the set, but SMU rallied back, scoring four straight points for a 17-14 lead. The Mustangs held the lead until the Wildcats tied the score, 24-24, en route to the victory.
SMU plays its final match of the DoubleTree Classic against Texas State Saturday night in Moody Coliseum at 7 p.m. Arizona plays matches against Texas State and Abilene Christian leading up to the SMU match.
