DALLAS (SMU) – The SMU volleyball team defeated Houston 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-19) in Moody Coliseum Friday. The Mustangs were powered by a balanced offensive attack, with Lexi Nordmann leading the team with eight kills.

Eva Linden and Brittany Adams each finished with seven kills. Hannah Jacobs scored six, and Meryn Kennedy posted five kills and six blocks. As a team, SMU tallied 12 blocks, with Nordmann and Linden each credited with five block assists.

With the third set tied, 17-17, SMU (6-9, 3-2 The American) went on an 8-2 run to ensure the match ended in three sets, taking the 25-19 win. The Mustangs led 17-13 before the Cougars (13-7, 0-5 The American) scored four consecutive points to tie the score. SMU ended the run with a kill that sparked a 5-0 run for the Mustangs.

Montana Watts recorded 24 digs in the victory, while Adams had 12. Kendall Patterson finished with 21 assists and 11 digs for her fifth double-double of the season. Freshman Lily Heim added 15 assists. SMU hit .256, while holding Houston to a .142 attack percentage.

The Mustangs held on to win the first set, 25-22. After a late charge by the Cougars, Adams scored her third kill of the set for SMU's 25th point. SMU led 18-10, cruising during a 12-4 run to create the cushion. Houston answered with five straight points, cutting the lead to three, 18-15. Houston pulled to within two points twice, put the Mustangs answered each time to remain in front.

SMU won the second set 25-15 with a dominate performance, which included four blocks by Kennedy. The Mustangs scored seven of the first 10 points with three kills and two aces during the stretch. 17 serves later, SMU had outscored Houston 2-1 for an 18-9 lead. This time, the Mustangs kept the Cougars from coming back and finished with the double-digit lead. Adams and Jacobs led the offense with four kills each.

The Mustangs return to action Friday, Oct. 12, against at Tulane. The road trip concludes with a match at Memphis Oct. 14.