DALLAS (SMU)- The SMU volleyball team showed its resiliency on Saturday, coming back from down 2-1 to take a 3-2 (23-25, 26-24, 25-22, 25-22, 15-10) victory over Rice in a thriller in Moody Coliseum. The Mustangs got the season sweep over the Owls with the win and moved into first place in the American Athletic Conference.
 
Three Mustangs finished in double-digit kills, led by season-highs from Jamison Wheeler (23) and Natalie Perdue (18). Emma Clothier added 14 kills for a second straight match.
 
SMU's defense was on full display the in victory, recording a season-best 16 blocks, its third straight game in double figures.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Set One:
Starting the match for SMU were Brooke Frazier, Celia Cullen, Jamison Wheeler, Emma Clothier, Sina Uluave, Natalie Perdue and Alex Glover.
 
Rice opened the match on a 4-0 run before the Mustangs cut it to one at 5-4 off Clothier's first kill. SMU tied it at 15-15 after Wheeler picked up a kill on the left side of the court. Tied at 22-22, Rice closed it out with a 3-1 run, taking the set 25-23.

Purdue led the Mustangs with five kills in the set.

Set Two:
SMU came out aggressive to start the second, opening with four straight points, forcing the Owls into a quick timeout. Rice was able to play itself back into the contest with a mini 9-6 run, making a one-point match at 10-9 in favor of the Mustangs. Some big plays from Alex Glover and Wheeler helped spark a 4-0 run, giving SMU a 16-12 edge. The Mustangs would close the set out in style, with Cullen delivering a clutch ace to take the set 26-24, tying the match at 1-1.

Set Three:
Both teams again traded points to start the third set, resulting in a 4-4 tie early. The Owls built a four-point lead at 9-5 after a 5-1 run. The Mustangs responded with big 6-0 run of their own midway through the set to close to within one at 17-16, forcing the Owls to take a timeout. Rice held off a late rally from SMU, taking the set 25-22, and a 2-1 advantage in the match.

Set Four:
The Mustangs got out to a 6-4 lead to start the fourth after a nice block from Wheeler and Clothier. A big kill from Perdue helped stop a run from the Owls and put the Mustangs up 16-14, giving her 16 kills on the afternoon. SMU kept itself alive in this one, closing the set strong, taking it 25-22 to tie it up at 2-2.

Set Five:
The Mustangs delivered another dominant start to the set, racing out to a 4-0 advantage. SMU didn't stop from there, going up 11-6 after another big block. The Mustangs closed out the impressive win with a kill from Clothier, giving them 15-10 set win and sealing the victory.

SMU LEADERS:
SMU Kills Leader: Jamison Wheeler (23)
SMU Assist Leader: Celia Cullen (53)
SMU Digs Leader: Sina Uluave (26)
SMU Blocks Leader:  Emma Clothier (9)

TEAM RECORDS SERIES NOTES:

• With the win, SMU improved to 16-6 on the season, and 10-1 in conference.
• Saturday was the 39^th meeting between SMU and Rice. SMU trails the all-time series 25-14.

TEAM NOTES:

• SMU won its sixth consecutive match.
• SMU is 8-1 in Moody Coliseum.  
• SMU is 10-1 when leading in digs.
• SMU is 15-1 when leading in attack percentage.
• SMU is 11-1 when leading in blocks.
• SMU is 14-2 when leading in service aces.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES:
Jamison Wheeler turned in her sixth double-double of the season with 23 kills and 19 digs. Wheeler led the Mustangs in kills for the 11^th time this season and a sixth straight match, while recording double-digit digs for the ninth time on the year.
Emma Clothier tallied 14 kills on .333 hitting. The graduate middle blocker added nine blocks, marking the eighth time this season she's turned in five-plus blocks. 
Natalie Perdue posted double-digit kills (18) for the 14th time this season.
Celia Cullen added 53 assists, her fourth time this year recording at least 50 in a match.
Sina Uluave notched double-digit digs (26) for the 18^th time this season.

UP NEXT:      
SMU hosts UAB on Friday at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum.