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USD Volleyball Drops Season Opener to SMU in Hawaii
Toreros Fall in Four Sets on First Day of Outrigger Volleyball Challenge
Despite a Strong Start, USD Struggles to Maintain Consistency
The University of San Diego (USD) volleyball team opened their season with a disappointing 3-1 (25-19, 22-25, 22-25, 20-25) loss to Southern Methodist University (SMU) on Thursday at the Outrigger Volleyball Challenge in Honolulu, Hawaii.
USD came out firing in the first set, hitting an impressive .368 and forcing SMU into 10 errors. However, the Toreros struggled to maintain that level of consistency throughout the match. In the second set, USD hit just .167 and SMU took advantage, winning 25-22.
The third set was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading points. USD eventually lost 25-22, despite hitting .273 in the set. The Toreros hit a match-low .083 in the fourth set, as SMU closed out the match with a 25-20 victory.
Key Takeaways
- USD struggled to maintain consistency throughout the match, hitting .368 in the first set and just .083 in the fourth.
- SMU's defense was strong, forcing USD into 26 errors.
- USD's offense was led by senior outside hitter Katie Lukes, who had 16 kills.
Looking Ahead
USD will look to bounce back on Friday when they face Cal State Northridge at 12 p.m. HST. The Toreros will then wrap up their tournament play on Saturday against No. 20 Hawaii at 9 p.m. HST.
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