UNIVERSITY PARK — SMU has long been the little sibling among Texas universities.
It’s a position that extends across sports, even to volleyball where the Mustangs historically haven’t been able to hang with the likes of Texas and Texas A&M.
No. 8 SMU defeated No. 9 Texas 3-2 in their home opener at Moody Coliseum on Wednesday night, getting the last laugh both on the court and in the stands as a sold-out crowd waved red towels that read “Keep Dallas Normal,” a play on Austin’s motto. The win came just over two weeks after the Mustangs swept No. 8 Texas A&M.
“It’s cool to show that we own Texas,” SMU middle blocker Favor Anyanwu said.
Wednesday marked the second sellout in SMU volleyball history, but unlike the first against Nebraska in 2024, the Mustang fans held their own. While burnt orange poured into Moody Coliseum, the crowd was split, and SMU’s students brought the Moody Magic the Mustangs needed.
A record 801 SMU students attended the match — the largest student crowd in SMU volleyball history. A crowd of close to two dozen shirtless students wearing nothing but speedos took over the front row and kept the student section on their feet for all five sets.
Their enthusiasm was well-warranted, as the Mustangs beat Texas for only the second time in program history and first since 2000. SMU also won its 12th consecutive home match, tying a program record.
“I thought that was just really fun and entertaining volleyball,” SMU coach Sam Erger said. “Really proud of the entire team behind the team that made Moody just an incredible environment tonight. We really care about putting on a great show and an amazing product.”
BYU transfer Suli Davis, who is off to a strong start in her first season on the Hilltop, finished with a match-best 22 kills. Meanwhile, Anyanwu controlled the net with eight total blocks and added 16 kills.
“Favor was truly unstoppable,” Erger said.
SMU and Texas split the first two sets by an identical 25-21 margin before the Mustangs won the critical third set 25-22 to take the advantage.
SMU nearly ended it in a fourth set, battling back from down five points, but Texas won 28-26 thanks to a few big kills from Cari Spears, who tied for a team-high 18 with Torrey Stafford.
In the final set, SMU dominated, jumping out to an 11-4 lead and never looking back, winning the fifth set 15-10.
The win continues a strong start to the season where the Mustangs are drawing the attention of the nation. Texas ranked No. 2 in the country in the preseason poll. The Mustangs have also defeated the last two national champions in A&M and Penn State in an exhibition match at AT&T Stadium last month.
SMU will look to add to its resume at the Paradise Invitational in Nassau, Bahamas, where it will face No. 3 Kentucky on Saturday.
“It is a gift to feel like we’re a premier sport,” Erger said. “That’s unique to have so much investment and care.
“The dream is to not make that kind of thing so exclusive. I believe you can do it more than just a few elite, select places.”