DALLAS (SMU) – The two-seeded SMU Volleyball team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, defeating Central Arkansas (18-12) in straight sets 25-13, 25-13, 25-13. SMU improved to 26-5 on the season and has won 10 straight matches, its longest winning streak of the season. 

SMU hit a program record of .618 against the Sugar Bears, breaking the previous record of .595 set against Jackson State on Sept. 9, 2000. Jadyn Livings led the efficient attack from the Mustangs with a match-high 15 kills, hitting .609 with only one error on 23 swings.   

Malaya Jones went for 11 kills and 10 digs in the outing, hitting .556. Averi Carlson concluded the match with 35 assists and four blocks. Favor Anyanwu added five kills on seven swings with seven blocks against Central Arkansas. Jordyn Schilling led SMU's defensive effort with 11 digs and three assists. 

MATCH NOTES      

• Jones reached the double-digit kill mark for the 25th time this season. The performance was her eighth double-double of the season.   
• Livings went over 10 kills for the 18th time this season.   
• It marked Schilling's 21st time in double-figures this season.    
• With seven blocks against the Sugar Blocks, Favor Anyanwu is now second in the rally scoring era in blocks in a season at SMU, third all-time.   
• With an ace against Central Arkansas, Casey Batenhorst moved to tied for 9th all-time in career aces with former teammate Jamison Wheeler. With 94 aces, she is six away from becoming the eighth player in program history to reach 100 career aces.  
• SMU had double-digit blocks (10) for the 15th time this season.   
• SMU has won 19 of its last 20 matches.     
• The Mustangs have won each of their last four first-round tournament matches and all three under Coach Erger.  
• Friday's match marked win 99 for head coach Sam Erger at SMU. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:     
SMU took command of the first set early with a 6-2 advantage through the first eight points of the match. Despite a comeback effort by the Sugar Bears shortly after, the Mustangs responded well with six straight to give them the cushion they needed to win the frame comfortably. The Mustangs went on to win the frame 25-13, doing so by hitting .583 in the frame and holding Central Arkansas to a .069 clip, their lowest of the match. Jadyn Livings led the way for SMU with seven kills in the set.   

The Mustangs kept up their efficient night, hitting .727 in the second set. SMU had no attack errors on 22 swings in the second frame. Up 14-10, the Mustangs finished the set on an 11-3 run to win the frame. The Mustangs also added three more aces in the set, giving them six for the match through two sets.   

SMU continued its offensive prowess, hitting .600 in the final set. Malaya Jones recorded five kills to lead the way in the third, followed by four from Madison Scheer. The Mustangs held the Sugar Bears to .083 in the frame. SMU added a match-best four blocks in the set to help propel it to another 25-13 victory to close the match.   

SMU LEADERS:       
SMU Kills Leader: Jadyn Livings (15)    
SMU Assist Leader: Averi Carlson (35)   
SMU Digs Leader: Jordyn Schilling (11)    
SMU Blocks Leader: Favor Anyanwu (7) 
SMU Ace Leader: Mia Silva (2)    
SMU Points Leader: Jadyn Livings (16.0)   
 
Up Next: SMU will face Florida at Moody Coliseum in the second round of the NCAA Tournament tomorrow at 7 p.m. CT. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.