Volleyball: SMU at USF

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

SMU concludes its trip to Florida with another huge match against USF in Tampa Sunday at noon Dallas time.

The Mustangs (20-9, 12-4) are currently sitting in second place in the American. The Bulls (16-13, 10-5) are currently tied for third with UCF.

SMU has a challenging end to the conference season, but a win Sunday would clinch second place for the Mustangs in the regular season.

The Mustangs had a clutch victory in four sets at UCF Friday night. USF is coming off a victory at home over Houston in four sets.

Go Mustangs!

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Hopefully we can make it two SMU wins over USF in Tampa this weekend!

Go Mustangs!

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

SMU wins the first set 25-14!

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

SMU now leading 2-0 after winning the second set 25-20!

Caroline Young leads SMU with 10 kills. Cailin Bula has 8.

Go Mustangs!

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Another impressive road performance by SMU as the Mustangs sweep USF (25-14, 25-20, 25-16) in Tampa today!!!!

SMU moves to 21-9 overall and 13-4 in American action.

The Mustangs have also clinched second place in the American this season.

Caroline Young finishes with 13 kills. Caroline Bula and Janelle Giordano also each added 11 kills.

Avery Acker had 38 assists and 14 digs!

SMU concludes the regular season Wednesday at Houston.

GO MUSTANGS!

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

SMU release:

http://www.smumustangs.com/sports/w-volley/recaps/112413aaa.html

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

It's hard to put into words how impressive the weekend sweep in Florida was for SMU. What an amazing performance by the team!

SMU has clinched second place in the American and Mustangs fans should be so proud of this team.

American standings after Sunday's action:

1. Louisville (16-0)
2. SMU (13-4)
3. UCF (10-6)
3. USF (10-6)
5. Houston (10-7)
6. Temple (9-7)
7. Memphis (6-10)
8. UConn (4-12)
9. Cincinnati (2-14)
10. Rutgers (1-15)

[Terry Webster]

I understand that UL will get the automatic bid for the NCAA tourney. Do you know if they give out at large bids that we may have a chance to get?

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

I don't know the details of how the NCAA selects at-large bids for volleyball, but our RPI is lower this year than it was when we got snubbed in 2010 so I wouldn't hold my breath, unfortunately.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

In 2010 we were 25-6 and had an RPI of 45 and got left out (actually outright snubbed for Mississippi).

Our current RPI (as of last week) is 105.

The new RPI is out today and the wins this weekend will definitely help, but obviously not enough for SMU to get serious consideration.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Caroline Young was named American conference player of the week again!

Janelle Giordano was also named to this week's conference honor roll.

http://theamerican.org/news/2013/11/25/WVB_1125134458.aspx

Young was named Player of the Week for the conference-leading fourth time this season, propelling the Mustangs to road wins over UCF and USF. Young had 19 kills in the 3-1 win over UCF, the most by a SMU player in a conference match this season. She went over the 1,000-kill plateau for her career against the Knights. She finished the week with 4.57 kills per set and a .410 hitting percentage.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

SMU moved up to 92 in this week's RPI.

Houston is 197 so beating them Wednesday probably won't help our RPI much and might even hurt it.