SMU Volleyball Closes Out Baden Classic With 3-1 Win Over Utah State

LONG BEACH, Calif. (SMU) – Jessica Oliver led the Mustangs with 19 kills as SMU took the four-set win over Utah State in its final match of the Baden Classic at Long Beach State. SMU improved to 4-5 on the season with the 3-1 win (25-21, 25-13, 23-25, 28-26), while Utah State fell to 4-6.

SMU led by as many as five points in the fourth set, but Utah State didn’t go down quietly. SMU lost two match points, and fought off a set point for Utah State, before finally closing out the match with a 28-26 victory.

The Mustangs held off a late charge by Utah State to take an early lead in the match, winning the first set 25-21. Leading 10-8, SMU went on a 5-2 run to lead 15-10, and the Aggies never got within three points again.

The second set was all SMU, with the Mustangs running to a 7-2 lead to open the set. The Mustangs led by as many as 11 points before closing out the set 25-13 to take a 2-0 lead in the match. Utah State narrowly avoided the sweep, scoring five of the last eight points of the third set to force a fourth set with the 25-23 win.

Kelli Becerra finished the match with her team-leading fifth double-double with 47 assists and 10 digs, and Dana Powell added her fourth double-double with 10 kills and 15 digs. Sidney Stewart had 30 digs to lead SMU.

The Mustangs return to Texas, competing in the Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational in Austin, Texas. SMU will open the tournament against UTSA Friday at 3:30 p.m. before facing No. 10 Texas and Santa Clara on Saturday.