No. 8 SMU Takes Down No. 4 Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (SMU) – Despite being shorthanded, No. 8 SMU Volleyball took down No. 4 Louisville in a five-set thriller (25-22, 19-25, 24-26, 25-21, 19-17) in Kentucky Friday evening. SMU improved to 13-4, 5-2 in ACC motion.

The win marked the fourth-ranked win of the season and the fourth win over a prime 10 group throughout the Sam Erger period. SMU now has 12 wins over ranked opponents since Erger took over on the Hilltop in 2022. It was the first-ever win over Louisville for SMU and the Mustangs handed Cardinals its first loss inside L&N Federal Credit Union Arena since Oct. 8, 2022.

 Malaya Jones paced the Mustangs with 22 kills, hitting .320, with 5 digs and 4 blocks. Kennedi Rogers and Jadyn Livings every logged 10 kills within the match. Rogers earned the primary double-double of her profession with 10 kills and a career-high 10 digs towards the Cardinals.



Averi Carlson stuffed the stat sheet Friday evening with 54 assists and 16 digs defensively, tying her profession excessive. Christa Wilburn notched a season-best 13 digs towards Louisville, adopted by a 12-dig and three-ace efficiency from Jordyn Schilling.  

MATCH NOTES: 

• Jones tallied 22 kills, her fifth 20 or extra kill efficiency this season.
• Carlson and Rogers logged double-doubles, the seventh and first doubles of the season, respectively.
• SMU logged 10 aces towards Louisville, the third time the Mustangs went for double-digit aces and the second straight time in ACC play.
• The Mustangs dug 76 balls towards the Cardinals, probably the most in a match this season.
• SMU’s 15 blocks have been tied for the second most by the Mustangs this season. SMU collected six solo blocks as a group, tied for probably the most this season.
• Carlson’s 54-assist outing was her fifth match with 50+ assists this season. With her 54 assists, she has ten assists away from 4,000 in her profession.
• SMU is 9-0 when holding its opponents below .200.
• Under Head Coach Sam Erger, SMU within the months of October and November are 47-9 (.839).

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
SET ONE | It was a back-and-forth opening set to start out the highest 10 matchup. At the 19-19 mark, an assault error by the Cardinals, adopted by a block from Newsome and Rogers, pressured the Cardinals to take a timeout. The golf equipment traded factors out of the timeout after which a kill from Livings put the Mustangs again up two, forcing one other Louisville timeout. SMU closed the deal shortly with a kill from Jones and an ace from Mia Silva to win the primary set 25-22. The Mustangs’ protection was regular in set one, logging 23 digs and three group blocks towards the Cardinals.

SET TWO | SMU constructed a 12-7 benefit earlier than two separate three-point spurts evened the rating at 13-13. A kill from Livings halted the Cards’ momentum momentarily, however Louisville was on a roll, answering with 9 of the subsequent 10 to create the lead it wanted to shut out the body. The Cardinals leveled the set rating with a 25-19 second-set victory.

SET THREE | Backed by the serving strain of Schilling, SMU raced off to a 7-0 lead within the third set. Unfortunately, Louisville fought again into the set, utilizing a 6-0 run to attract inside two, 14-12. Another sturdy run gave the Cards the lead as they reached the 20-point mark (20-19). A kill from Jones adopted by a kill from Rogers put the Mustangs at set level first 24-23, however three straight factors by Louisville ended the body in favor of the Cards 26-24.  

 

SET FOUR | SMU responded nicely, going up 8-4 to start out the fourth set of the match. Louisville labored to take the lead and prolonged it to a few (14-11). The Mustangs did not waver and put collectively three straight to even the rating. After two straight by the Cardinals, SMU bought 4 extra to go their manner. Wilburn was sturdy throughout the stretch with a kill and a solo block to assist put the Mustangs up two (18-16). Louisville lower its deficit to 1 after happening as a lot as three within the purple zone, however three straight factors on a kill from Jones, a block from Rogers and Anyanwu, and an assault error by the Cardinals to win the body 25-21 to pressure a fifth set.

 

SET FIVE | Louisville began the set sturdy with a 4-0 lead after which an 8-2 benefit earlier than SMU slowly clawed again. The Cardinals bought to set level up 14-12, however back-to-back kills from Jones saved the Mustangs in it. SMU fought off three straight match factors, after which closed the evening with three consecutive factors, together with a kill from Anyanwu, a block from Newsome and Wilburn, and an assault error by the Cardinals to win the set 19-17 and the match in 5.  

 

SMU LEADERS:

SMU Kills Leader: Malaya Jones (22)

SMU Assist Leader: Averi Carlson (54)

SMU Digs Leader: Averi Carlson (16)

SMU Blocks Leader: Favor Anyanwu (7)

SMU Ace Leader: Two with (3)

SMU Points Leader: Malaya Jones (24.0)

 

Up Next: SMU will conclude its four-match street stretch at Notre Dame on Sunday, Oct. 19. First serve is ready for 12 p.m. CT in South Bend.