UPDATE: SMU volleyball’s remarkable season has come to an abrupt end after a heartbreaking defeat to Purdue in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. The Mustangs fell in four sets, with scores of 25-16, 19-25, 22-25, and 27-29, mirroring their earlier loss against the Boilermakers on September 14.
The match kicked off in Pittsburgh with an explosive start for SMU, who raced to a stunning 9-1 lead in the first set. The Mustangs dominated, forcing Purdue to call both timeouts before finally getting on the board, sealing the first set with a commanding 25-16 victory.
However, the tide turned in the second set as Purdue exploited vulnerabilities in the SMU defense. Despite a fierce comeback attempt by the Mustangs, which saw them close the gap to just one point, a decisive 6-1 run from Purdue led to a 25-19 win, leveling the match.
The stakes heightened in the third set, tied at 20-20. Although SMU fought valiantly, four critical errors allowed Purdue to clinch the set 25-22, putting the Mustangs on the brink of elimination.
In a dramatic fourth set, SMU battled back from an 18-15 deficit to reclaim the lead at 23-22. Yet, the Mustangs faltered once again, unable to close the deal as they lost the set 27-29 and the match 3-1, ending a historic run that included their first Sweet 16 appearance in years.
With this victory, Purdue advances to its first regional final since 2021, where they are set to face No. 1 seed Pitt. Meanwhile, SMU’s season concludes in Pittsburgh, leaving fans and players reflecting on a remarkable journey.
As the dust settles on this thrilling matchup, the disappointment in the Mustangs’ locker room is palpable. The team had high hopes and showed immense talent throughout the season, but ultimately fell short against a resilient opponent.
Stay tuned as we continue to monitor the developments in the NCAA tournament and provide coverage on the journey of teams like SMU. This story is far from over, and fans will be eager to see how the landscape shifts in collegiate volleyball.
