The third set started like how this match has been going all after noon, neck and neck, as the Mustangs were looking to find some momentum to avoid being swept. The Mustangs jumped out to a 7-5 lead after a 3 point swing, a change of momentum they were looking for to keep this match going. The Bearcats found a way to tie it up at 10 before a service ace from Kerstin Ficker gave the Bearcats a 11-10 lead. The battle went back and forth but the Mustangs found themselves with a 17-14 lead. The Mustangs extended their lead to 20-16 before the Bearcats got big kills from Maria Mallon, and Shannon Williams to force the Mustangs to take a timeout leading 20-18. The Bearcats cut the lead to 1, before a kill from Shannon Williams to tie this set at 21. The Bearcats completely flipped the narrative here late in the set after back to back kills from Shannon Williams the Bearcats took a 22-21 lead over the Mustangs. The Mustangs fought to the end as they came back and took Set 3, 26-24, forcing a Set 4.
The Mustangs came out with all the momentum is Set 4 as they jumped out to a quick 5-1 lead following back to back aces from Bria’ Merchant. The Bearcats fought right back and cut the deficit to 1 after a 3-0 run themselves following kills from Mallon and Williams. The Bearcats found momentum after another big kill from Mallon, where she followed right back up with a big time service ace, as her topspin serve gave the Mustangs some trouble. The Mustangs on the other hand went on a 4 point swing to flip this game open and the Bearcats have found themselves in a hole as they trail 19-13 forcing a timeout from coach Molly Alvey. The Bearcats looking to cut the 6 point deficit got a big time kill from Shannon Williams, following three straight attacking errors by the Mustangs and the Bearcats now trailed 19-17. The Bearcats eventually kept the rally going as the went on a 5-0 run to tie things at 19. The Bearcats kept the rally going but it came down to the end and the Bearcats got a big kill from Shannon Williams and Maria Mallon to finish this one off to secure the Bearcats victory 26-24.
The Bearcats knew coming into today was going to be a hard fought battle as SMU was ranked second in the AAC behind UCF, the Bearcats wanted to make a statement early. They did just that, a neck and neck battle all day, point for point these two teams weren’t going down without a fight. The Mustangs dominated the net as they had 13 blocks on the day, but that didn’t stop the Bearcats from putting balls away as the Bearcats had three players with double digit kills. Shannon Williams finished tied with Maria Mallon for a team high with 15 kills and one block. Mallon finished with 15 kills, two aces, 14 digs and one block. While freshman Abby Walker continued her impressive start to her Bearcat career as she recorded 10 kills, two blocks and four service aces. The freshman has been a dominant force for the Bearcats in the serving game as she recorded her four aces at one of the biggest points of this match, a 6-0 run for the Bearcats late in Set 2. The freshman recorded nine aces for the Bearcats in the last two matches. A key component to the Bearcats success is the last two matches they have had 22 service aces, a very impressive stat as the Bearcats are finding a way to put opposing teams in very tough spots in serve receive early on. The Bearcats are playing very great ball and this team is very fun to watch as they go down the stretch of conference play. The Bearcats are looking to build momentum as they have another big game this upcoming week. This Bearcats team is so deep as they can have multiple players go out and get double digit kills day in and day out and it has shown here early within the season. The versatility this team provides will give a lot of teams trouble down the stretch and it will really fun to see what this team will do later in the season as they are looking to get back to the NCAA tournament,
The Bearcats will be back in action this Wednesday when they travel to East Carolina University as they look to keep the win streak alive and make it three games in a row.
