FORT WORTH, Texas (SMU) – Lexi Nordmann scored a career-high 16 kills to lead SMU, but Montana State won the last two sets for a five-set win Friday afternoon (25-21, 19-25, 21-25, 30-28, 17-15). It was the sophomore's first double-digit kill match of the season and just the third of her career.
The Bobcats (3-5) survived three set-point chances for the Mustangs (1-6), and scored three straight for the 17-15 win. SMU erased a 4-1 deficit early, and trailed 8-6 at the switch before taking its first lead, 11-10, with back-to-back aces.
Brittany Adams posted her first double-double of the season with 14 kills and 24 digs, and
Meryn Kennedy scored 10 kills.
The Bobcats forced a fifth set after surviving for a 30-28 win in the fourth. SMU fought off four set points before Montana State was able to put back-to-back scoring plays together for the win. Adams had 10 digs in the fourth set alone, and Kennedy led SMU with five kills, but SMU couldn't get the point on its only match-point opportunity, leading 25-24.
Palmieri's service ace was the winner in the third set (25-21) as SMU took a 2-1 advantage in the match. It was the first time either team led by more than three points in the set, and SMU's 18-15 lead was the first time a lead was larger than two points. Nordmann and Adams each had five kills for the Mustangs, who hit .387 with 16 kills.
Montana State came back to win the first set, erasing what was a six-point deficit. Patterson served to straight aces to give SMU a 13-7 lead. The SMU advantage was still five, 18-13, before Montana State went on a 7-1 to take a 20-19 lead. The Mustangs never regained the advantage, losing 25-21 in the opening set.
In the second set, it was the Mustangs who used a late run to win the set. The Bobcats led 17-13, but SMU outscored them 12-2 to win 25-19 and tie the match, 1-1. SMU took a 4-1 lead to start the set, with two aces by Adams. A 3-0 run by Montana State tied the score, 10-10, and the two teams traded points until the Bobcats took the 17-13 lead. The offense was evenly distributed, as five Mustangs had three kills each in the set for SMU.
SMU plays its final match at the Fight in the Fort tournament Saturday at 11 a.m. against Louisiana.
