Final Book | Updated Season Stats | Updated Conference Stats | Updated Career

CINCINNATI, Ohio – Contributions from all six rotations fueled a 3-1 (25-20, 25-17, 22-25, 25-17) SMU victory over Cincinnati at Fifth Third Arena Friday.
 
The Mustangs opened a five-point cushion in the middle of the first set before winning by the same margin. With seven ties and two lead changes in the early going, SMU outscored the Bearcats 9-4 to grab a 17-12 advantage.
 
Following the same script from the opening game, the Mustangs built a seven-point cushion at 15-8, with six tallies in succession. SMU rode the advantage and grabbed a commanding 2-0 lead.
 
After intermission, the Bearcats scratched out a three-point victory and avoiding the sweep. With both offenses clicking at elevated levels in the stanza, Cincinnati found the needed points by preventing the Mustangs from getting into any rhythm at the service line. The Bearcats went 18 of 22 in sideout opportunities, while SMU netted 18 of 25.
 
Cincinnati delayed the eventual run and prevented the guests from pulling away until late in the frame. Leading 14-12, SMU rattled off 13 of the final 18 rallies to secure the victory.
 
TEAM RECORDS AND SERIES NOTES

• SMU improved to 10-6 overall and 3-1 in AAC play while the Bearcats dropped to 3-10, 1-2.
• The Mustangs lead the all-time series 11-4, including a 5-4 mark in Cincinnati.
• SMU snapped a three-match losing streak at the Bearcats, dating back to Oct. 26, 2017.

TEAM NOTES

• The Mustangs posted a season-best .381 hitting percentage, 30 points higher than the previous high.
• SMU recorded 64 kills, the most on the campaign in four sets and second highest total in all matches.
• The Mustangs committed only 11 errors, the fewest in a four-set match and third lowest on the campaign.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

• Sophomore OH Jamison Wheeler hit .500, converting 22 of 40 attempts, with two attack errors.
  • The 22 kills fell two off her career-high set earlier this season.
  • Wheeler reached double digits in kills 12 times this season, including three with at least 20.
  • Her .500 hitting percentage is her highest of the campaign.
• Graduate transfer OPP Marieke van der Mark posted a career-high 17 kills, with five digs and a block.
  • She committed one error on 34 swings, posting a .471 hitting percentage – her second highest mark.
  • Van der Mark reached 10 or more kills seven times this season, including six in the last seven contests.
• Senior OH Jadyn Bauss recorded 16 kills, 11 digs, three service aces and three blocks.
  • The double-double is the 24^th of her career and second in as many games.
  • Bauss notched her 24^th ace of the season, surpassing last season's total of 22, her previous high in one campaign.
• Junior S Celia Cullen fueled the offense handing out 53 of the team's 58 assists.
  • She added four digs, two blocks and a kill.
• Graduate transfer Tatum Ticknor thwarted 26 attacks by the opposition – a season high.
• Graduate transfer MB London Austin-Roark recorded five successful attacks on 11 swings.
  • She added five blocks, four digs and an ace.
• Senior MB Alex Glover totaled three blocks and three kills.
• Casey Batenhorst and Jentry Lamirand saw playing time.

SMU continues the initial conference road swing of the season against Tulsa Friday, Oct. 7.