DALLAS – No. 11 SMU will face No.5 pitt in the second round of the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Friday, marking a rematch of last season’s second-round contest. The Mustangs are aiming for their third consecutive appearance in the second round,while Pitt seeks to continue its championship defence.
SMU enters the match following a accomplished regular season that saw them finish fourth in the ACC with a 16-4 conference record. Head Coach Sam Erger, in her fourth year leading the program, has guided the Mustangs to back-to-back NCAA tournament second-round appearances and three straight 20-win seasons – a streak second only to a previous run in program history. This matchup is meaningful as it tests SMU’s continued growth within the ACC, a conference where they where predicted to finish fourth in the 2024 preseason poll and have consistently exceeded expectations.
The Mustangs boast a roster recognized for its talent,with Malaya Jones,Averi Carlson,and Favor Anyanwu earning All-ACC Preseason Team honors. Last season, Celia Cullen and Naya Shime were added to the mid-season list, demonstrating the program’s consistent player development. Pitt leads the ACC with four players represented on the preseason team,followed by SMU,Stanford,and Louisville with three each.
Erger’s tenure has dramatically elevated SMU Volleyball, having already secured 10 ranked wins, including three against top-10 opponents. she holds an remarkable 49-11 record (81.6%) in conference matches. The winner of Friday’s contest will advance to the NCAA Tournament’s regional round.
