Amber Aniston • October 28, 2024

No. 12 SMU Falls to No. 4 Louisville in Four Sets

On Sunday afternoon at Moody Coliseum, SMU’s volleyball team faced off against No. 4 Louisville in a highly anticipated ACC showdown. In front of a packed crowd of 3,015 fans, SMU battled hard but ultimately fell in four sets to the Cardinals. The loss drops the Mustangs to 15-6 overall and 7-3 in ACC play. Set scores were 25-14, 21-25, 25-20, and 25-21 in favor of Louisville.


Despite a strong second-set performance from the Mustangs, Louisville's relentless attack and dominant net play proved too much for SMU to overcome. The Mustangs fought valiantly to stay in the match, especially in the second set, but Louisville controlled the final two sets to secure the victory.

We were at the game tonight and will be adding pictures and highlights soon!


First Set: Louisville Seizes Early Momentum

Louisville came out firing in the first set, making their presence felt with a 5-0 run midway through the set. SMU tried to keep up, but Louisville’s blocking game stifled the Mustangs’ attack, holding them to just a .061 hitting percentage in the first set. The Cardinals’ defensive pressure and effective offensive execution helped them claim the opening set 25-14, putting SMU on the back foot early.


Second Set: SMU Strikes Back

The second set saw SMU regroup and fight back with energy and determination. The Mustangs jumped to an 8-3 lead, fueled by strong serving from Casey Batenhorst and key kills by Naya Shime. SMU’s defensive play also stepped up, as they held Louisville’s attack at bay while keeping the lead intact.

Despite a late push from Louisville, SMU held on to win the set 25-21, evening the match at one set each. Shime's contributions, along with a more consistent offensive flow, allowed the Mustangs to regain momentum heading into the third set.


Third Set: Louisville Takes Control Again

The third set proved to be the turning point as Louisville responded quickly. Both teams traded points early on, but the Cardinals surged ahead with a 7-1 run to take a 12-7 lead. SMU battled back and got within two points at 17-15, but Louisville’s defense stiffened at the net, and they pulled away to win the set 25-20, regaining control of the match.


Fourth Set: Cardinals Finish Strong

In the fourth set, Louisville seized the opportunity to close out the match. SMU managed to stay close, tying the set at 15-15, but a 6-1 run from the Cardinals gave them the separation they needed. Despite a spirited effort from the Mustangs, Louisville held on to win the set 25-21 and clinched the 3-1 match victory.


Louisville's front-line play was key in the final set, with their blocking and well-timed attacks proving too much for SMU. The Mustangs showed flashes of brilliance throughout the match but couldn’t find the consistency needed to overcome Louisville's elite play.


Key Performances

SMU’s Naya Shime led the team with 14 kills and seven blocks, continuing her impressive season. Natalie Foster contributed eight kills and a career-high 11 blocks, while setter Celia Cullen dished out 27 assists to pace the Mustangs' offense. Maya Tabron led SMU defensively with 16 digs, keeping the team in many rallies.


For Louisville, Ana DeBeer posted 16 kills and 15 digs to lead the Cardinals' attack. Cara Cresse was a defensive force at the net with 11 blocks, helping Louisville maintain control throughout the match.


Crowd Energy and SMU's Resilience

The atmosphere inside Moody Coliseum was electric, with the second-largest crowd in SMU volleyball history. Fans were vocal throughout the match, especially during SMU's comeback in the second set. The energy from the crowd was a testament to the growing excitement surrounding SMU’s volleyball program this season. Though the Mustangs came up short, their ability to rally and challenge one of the top teams in the nation shows their potential for the rest of the season and the future of the program.


What’s Next for SMU?

SMU will look to bounce back quickly as they head on the road to face Virginia Tech this Friday, November 4th, in another ACC clash. With several tough matches ahead, SMU will need to regroup and refocus after tonight’s hard-fought loss. The Mustangs still sit in a strong position in the ACC standings, and tonight's performance showed that they can compete with the best teams in the conference.


Louisville will head home to take on Notre Dame as they continue their quest for the ACC title.

We were at the game and captured some incredible moments. Stay tuned as we will be uploading pictures and highlights soon!

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