Volleyball Drops to SMU to Close Out 2023 Season

Wednesday, November 22

Philadelphia, Pa.

11:30 a.m.

Temple University

17-14,7-12AAC

SMU

25-6,18-1AAC

SMU

Temple

Photo by: Zamani Feelings

Volleyball Drops to SMU to Close Out 2023 Season

11.22.23 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

PHILADELPHIA – The Temple Owls' volleyball team closed out the 2023 season on Wednesday against the Southern Methodist Mustangs falling in three sets, 26-28, 13-25, 14-25. The Mustangs' Jamison Wheeler had a match-high 12 kills.

The Owls finish the season 17-14 overall and 7-12 in the American Athletic Conference while SMU improves to 25-6 overall and 18-1 in the conference.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Mustang's setter Celia Cullen led the match with 34 assists.
SMU's Naya Shime and Sinalauli'I Uluave had a pair of double-digit digs matches with 13 and 15, respectively.
Emma Clothier led the match with a .316 hitting percentage with any player over 15 total attacks.

SET 1 (TU 26, SMU 28)

Temple jumped out to a 6-1 start in set one with the help of three service aces, from Olivia Vance (2) and one from Falanika Danielson.
The Cherry and White continued to lead, forcing Southern Methodist to call timeout at 9-3, but after the break in the action, the Mustangs turned things around, tying the score by going on a 10-4 run. In that span, SMU had five kills, with Wheeler collecting four putaways.
With calling their first Temple timeout at 13-13, the Mustangs gained the advantage, 18-14, as they forced Temple into four straight attack errors.
The Owls broke a pair of Mustang set points, but eventually the visitors secured the set win after back-to-back hitting errors by Temple.
Wheeler led all hitters in the set with seven of her 12 kills on the day.
Graduate transfers Avery Luoma and Olivia Vance led Temple with four kills apiece. Vance had a match-high .364 hitting percentage.

SET 2 (TU 13, SMU 25)

With the set tied, 2-2, SMU took advantage by scoring eight of the next 10 points and 11 of the next 14. The SMU blockers forced six attack errors in that span.
In the set, the Mustangs had five team blocks, including a pair from Wheeler and Natalie Perdue, forcing -.111 hitting percentage.

SET 3 (TU 14, SMU 25)

The Owls and Mustangs played to a 6-6 tie to begin set three, but SMU took the advantage by scoring six of the next eight points to jump ahead, 12-8.
SMU's Lauren Ohlinger helped her team to the set victory as her serve scored five straight points for the Mustangs, including three of her four match-high aces.

TEMPLE LEADERS
Kills: Olivia Vance – 9
Assists: Lexi Yoza – 14
Digs: Nikki Shimao – 9
Blocks: Samantha Jo Mikosky – 6
Aces: Olivia Vance - 2
For complete coverage of Temple volleyball, follow the Owls on social media @Temple_VB (Twitter), facebook.com/TempleOwls (Facebook), @temple.vb (Instagram), or visit the official home of Temple University Athletics at owlsports.com.