SMU vs. Houston | Dallas, Texas – Moody Coliseum
Oct. 14, 1 p.m. | ESPN+ | Live Stats | SMU Notes (PDF) | AAC Notes (PDF)
 
SMU vs. Tulane | Dallas, Texas – Moody Coliseum
Oct. 16, 1 p.m. | ESPN+ | Live Stats | SMU Notes (PDF) | AAC Notes (PDF)

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SMU returns home for a pair of important matches against American Athletic Conference foes, beginning with Houston at 1 p.m. Friday.
 
Nearing the midway point of the league schedule, both teams look to make a statement and boost their postseason resume'.
 
The Mustangs collected a pair of road victories last weekend, widening the gap on the main pack, while pulling even with UCF – one game behind the Cougars - after the Knights fell at Houston.
 
SMU concludes the weekend with its Pink Game – supporting breast cancer awareness – Sunday at 1 p.m. against Tulane. The Green Wave carry a 6-11 mark, including 1-5 in The American into Friday's contest at Memphis.
 
TOP SPOT AT STAKE
      •  After completing a successful road swing 3-0, SMU welcomes Houston to Moody Coliseum Friday, with first place in The American on the line.
      •  The Cougars own a 15-2 mark, including 6-0 in league play, the lone unbeaten team remaining, one game in front of the Mustangs and UCF.  
      •  Tulane and Houston close out the fourth week of league play by swapping opponents Sunday. The Mustangs entertain the Green Wave, while Memphis and Houston face off.

PINK OUT
    •    October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Mustangs are teaming up with The Bridge Breast Network - a local organization that provides access to diagnostic and treatment services for low income, uninsured or under-insured individuals.
    •     Sunday's match against Tulane is this season's match dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness but the Mustangs will accept donations at all three home matches in October.

SERIES HISTORY - HOUSTON
      •  SMU is 25-18 in the all-time series against the Cougars. The first meeting was a 3-0 loss at Houston Sept. 23, 1998.
      •  The Mustangs won both matches last season, earning a 3-1 triumph in Houston Oct. 15, 2021. They swept the season series with a four-set victory at Moody Coliseum Nov. 21, 2021.
      •  SMU owns a 16-6 mark at home against the Cougars.
 
SCOUTING THE COUGARS
      •  Houston received votes for the fifth-straight week Monday, with a 15-2 mark, including 6-0 in the American Athletic Conference following a pair of 3-1 wins over UCF and USF.
      •  The Cougars lead the league in aces per set at 1.62.
      •  Abbie Jackson ranks first in the American Athletic Conference with 40 averaging 0.45 per set.
      •  Houston, which finished second in the conference in 2021, placed second in the 2022 American Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.
      •  Annie Cooke, Kate Georgiades, Abbie Jackson and Rachel Tullos named to the All-AAC First Team Preseason team.
      •  Jackson and Tullos were unanimous selections.
 
SERIES HISTORY - TULANE
      •  Tulane leads 18-16 in the all-time series. The first meeting was a 3-0 loss in the Big Easy Sept. 7, 2001.
      •  The Mustangs own a three-match winning streak, including a pair of victories last season. They claimed a five-set victory in New Orleans Oct. 17, 2021, before earning a sweep at Moody Coliseum Nov. 19, 2021.
      •  SMU is 9-9 in 18 home meetings with the Green Wave.
 
SCOUTING THE GREEN WAVE
      •  Tulane enters the weekend with a 6-11 record, including 1-5 after splitting a pair of contests at home to USF and UCF last weekend. The 3-1 victory over USF Oct. 7, snapped a six-match losing streak.
      • The Green Wave ranks fourth in the league in hitting percentage (.216) and digs (988).
      •  Kayla Kaiser owns a .331 hitting percentage and Kate van Houten's 578 assists rank fourth in The American.
      •  Tulane ranked seventh in the 2022 AAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
CRACKING THE TOP 50
      •  SMU placed 50th in the first RPI rankings of the season.
      •  The Mustangs obtained their highest position since ending 2016 in 26th
      •  SMU is third amongst AAC teams, trailing UCF (7) and Houston (19).
      •  The American is seventh among 32 NCAA Division I conferences.
 
20-20 club
      •  Natalie Perdue and Jamison Wheeler account for all five of the Mustangs 20-kill performances this season.
      •  The duo combined on 49 kills against UConn Sept. 10, with Perdue tallying 25 and Wheeler adding 24.
      •  Wheeler registered 22 kills at Cincinnati Sept. 30 and 21 against Stephen F. Austin Aug. 26.
      •  Perdue notched 20 against Stephen F. Austin Aug. 27.
 
ACE AT THE LINE
      •  Jadyn Bauss tallied three aces at Cincinnati, upping her total to 24.
      •  She notched 22 last season, the most in any campaign.
 
TICK MARK
      • Tatum Ticknor earned her first AAC Defensive Player of the Week award for the week ending Oct. 2, 2022.
      •  She netted 44 digs and seven assists in wins over Memphis and Cincinnati.
                •    Ticknor is the first Mustang to earn an individual honor this season.