Box Score Box Score

DALLAS- SMU's volleyball program kicked off its 25^th season with a win, rallying back from a 2-1 deficit to beat Rice 3-2 (25-27, 25-20, 14-25, 25-18, 15-5) in a non-conference match at Moody Coliseum Friday. Jadyn Bauss had a career-high 17 kills, including four in the decisive fifth set, to lead the Mustangs' attack.
 
The Mustangs (1-0), playing their first match since November 2019, saw their attack excel in the final two sets, hitting a combined .420. Three SMU players reached double figures in kills, as Hannah Jacobs added 16, including the match-clinching kill, and Rachel Woulfe added 11.
 
Bria' Merchant set a career-high with 27 digs, one of four Mustangs with double-digits. Makayla Miller had 15, Lily Heim had 13, and Bauss added 14. Heim added 49 assists to lead the team.
 
Nicole Lennon led the Owls (1-2) with 22 kills, and Nia McCardell had a match-high 33 digs.
 
Rice (1-2) took the opening set 27-25, earning five of their seven blocks in the opening frame. SMU took the second set 25-20, and the Owls opened up their lead with a 25-14 third set victory.
 
The Mustangs then turned up their attack in the fourth set, with Bauss notching six kills and Woulfe adding five to win the set 25-18. SMU gave up the first point of the fifth set, but then never trailed to earn a 15-5 victory.
 
The teams finish the two-match series at 2 p.m. Saturday inside Moody Coliseum, with coverage on ESPN+. Admission to the game is free and open to the public.

SMU (1-0, 0-0 AAC) vs. Rice (1-2, 0-0 C-USA)
Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 – 2 p.m.
TV: ESPN+
Live Stats: Live Stats
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