Box Score HOUSTON, Texas (SMU) – SMU lost its American Athletic Conference opener in five sets at Houston Friday night, dropping to 7-4 on the season (25-15, 25-14, 25-27, 20-25, 14-16). Freshman Mekenzi Heckmann led the Mustangs with a career-high 22 kills in the loss.

The Mustangs started strong, winning the first two sets by double-digits. Heckmann scored six of her kills in the first set with a .667 attack percentage, and added six more in the second as SMU took a 2-0 lead in the match.

Houston (7-9, 1-0 AAC) responded with wins in the next three sets to pull off the comeback. Both the third and final sets needed extra points to determine a winner. Trailing late in the third, SMU rallied to tie the score, but Houston held on to take a 27-25 victory and extend the match.

The Cougars trailed by four at the switch in the fifth set, 8-4, and SMU had a 14-11 lead late. Houston scored five unanswered for a 16-14 win to take the match.

SMU plays at Tulane Sunday at 1 p.m. The Mustangs host Tulsa Friday at 7 p.m. in the first home conference match.