SET BY SET
Set 1 (GT 24 – SMU 26)
The opening set was the most competitive of the marquee matchup, featuring 11 ties and four lead changes. SMU held a slight statistical edge over Tech in the first set, recording three blocks, 18 kills and a .225 attack percentage compared to the Jackets’ two blocks, 11 kills and .154 attack percentage. Both teams traded points and the lead through the media timeout, with SMU holding a two-point advantage heading into the break before stringing together four consecutive points to take a 19-13 lead. Tech responded quickly, outscoring SMU 7-2 and forcing the Mustangs to call a timeout in an attempt to halt the Jackets’ momentum. The late surge gave Tech a 23-22 lead, but it wasn’t enough to secure the set, as SMU came away with a 26-24 win. Bennour paced Tech’s offense from the start with six kills and a .357 attack percentage. Four Jackets recorded assists, with Heloise Soares leading the group with six, followed by Mana Kaneko with three. Soares teamed up with Bianca Garibaldi for one of Tech’s two blocks, while Zoe Humphrey recorded the other solo block.
Set 2 (GT 24 – SMU 26)
The second set mirrored the first, with Tech matching SMU defensively but trailing in kills, 18-11. The Jackets jumped out to an early lead and kept the Mustangs’ offense at bay until SMU put together a four-point run to take an 8-7 advantage. Tech responded quickly, forcing a Mustang timeout after a five-point run put the Jackets ahead, 13-10. After trading points, SMU took a one-point lead at 20-19 and maintained the advantage through a 26-24 set win, despite Tech tying the score three times. For the second consecutive set, Bennour led Tech’s offense, recording a .312 attack percentage. Heard appeared in the fourth match of her career and set a career high with two aces. Soares recorded all of Tech’s assists in the second set. Humphrey played a key role in the Jackets’ defense, contributing to three of Tech’s four blocks. Bennour also assisted Humphrey on defense, recording two blocks.
Set 3 (GT 21 – SMU 25)
Despite SMU committing more attack errors and recording fewer blocks, the Jackets’ 11 kills in the third set weren’t enough to extend the match against the Mustangs’ 17 kills. Tech called an early timeout after SMU established a four-point lead at 5-1. The Jackets trailed by as many as seven before working their way back within one point at 11-10. Tech pulled within one three times (16-15, 17-16 and 19-18) but couldn’t complete the comeback, falling 25-21 to close out the match. Laura Bieleski led the offense with four kills and a .444 attack percentage, while Bennour added three kills. Soares and Kaneko shared setting duties, with Soares recording four assists and five digs and Kaneko adding four assists and four digs. Humphrey recorded three blocks in the final set, while Heard tallied two.
UP NEXT
The Yellow Jackets will hit the road for matches against Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., on Friday, Oct. 30, at 6:30 p.m. and against No. 3 Louisville in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 1 p.m.
SINGLE-MATCH TICKETS
Single-match tickets are now on sale for Georgia Tech’s 15-match home schedule, with prices starting at $10. Youth pricing and group discounts for groups of 10 or more are available. Youth pricing is not available online.
To purchase tickets, click here.
Full Steam Ahead
Full Steam Ahead is a $500 million fundraising initiative designed to help Georgia Tech athletics compete for championships at the highest level in the next era of intercollegiate athletics. The initiative will fund transformative projects for Tech athletics, including renovations to Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field, the historic home of Georgia Tech football; the Zelnak Basketball Center, the practice and training facility for Tech basketball; and O’Keefe Gymnasium, the home of Yellow Jackets volleyball. Additional projects and initiatives will further advance Georgia Tech athletics through program-wide operational support. All members of the Georgia Tech community are invited to visit atfund.org/FullSteamAhead for full details and renderings of the renovation projects, as well as opportunities to contribute online.
