Volleyball buries Miners

[PonyPride]

SMU Volleyball Hammers Out Win Against UTEP
Senior Setter Stefanie Kons Records Season-High Six Kills, 31 Assists

Oct. 10, 2008

DALLAS (SMU)-SMU volleyball (11-9, 3-3) picked apart the UTEP Miners (5-13, 1-4) in a five set (22-25,25-21, 25-22, 22-25,15-12) win on Friday night at Moody Coliseum. Freshman Dana Powell recorded her eleventh double-double for the season with 15 kills and 11 digs. Freshman Sidney Stewart effectively stopped the Miners' defense registering 30 digs to lead the Mustangs. Senior Stefanie Kons had an exceptional match setting up 31 assists and hitting 6 kills.

Sophomore Kathryn Wilkerson served up an ace in the fifth set to put SMU in the lead by three. The Miners responded with two kills in a row and an ace to tie it up 4-4. Junior Kendra Kahanek and Kons then combined for an outstanding three stuff blocks to push the Mustangs ahead 10-6. A kill by Peters finished off the set and the match giving SMU the win.

The Mustangs built a four point lead to start off the fourth set, but the Miners responded with a series of kills and a block to tie it up 9-9. UTEP's serving didn't do them any favors as another serving error, the Miners ended with 16 for the night, helped SMU to a 13-12 lead. UTEP was able to successfully turn it around after several SMU mistakes put the Miners ahead 21-17. An effective stuff block by the Miners gave them the win.

In the third set, the Mustangs had their hands full trying to fend off UTEP, who continuously stuck within striking distance until the Mustangs were able to edge them out in the end. On offense, the Mustangs hit .286, while the Miners put forth a .216. Both teams recorded 15 digs for the set, and the Mustangs slightly edged the Miners out in assists, 13-12.

A stuff block by Kahanek and freshman Jessica Oliver gave the Mustangs the lead in the third set 9-5. Powell and Kahanek teamed up to jam the Miners' defense with an impressive stuff block, which advanced SMU's lead by six. However, the Miners began hammering their way back under the guidance of Junior Aidan Mooney who hit .500 for the set and had four kills. Senior Stefanie Kons put the UTEP comeback on halt with her patented tip kill and the Mustangs went on to win the set.

The Mustangs pulled out in front early in the first set behind the strong offensive play of Powell, hitting .667, four kills, and Kahanek, who put away a kill at 16-13 to force UTEP into a time-out. UTEP regrouped and forged a comeback pulling ahead 23-19. A Kanahek kill stopped the Miners, but only momentarily, as UTEP went on to win the set.

The Mustangs get back to match play Sunday at 1:00 p.m. against the Tulane Green Wave (11-5, 3-1) in Moody Coliseum.

[that's great raplh]