It looks like SMU Volleyball is embracing its comeback season in style! Over a month ago, the unranked SMU squad stunned everyone by taking down the No. 2 Nebraska Huskers, sweeping them 25-23, 25-21, 25-18. And they didn’t just do it quietly; they made history in front of a roaring, record-setting crowd of 6,773 at Moody Coliseum!

This match was a big deal—SMU not only broke Nebraska’s winning streak, but also handed them their first loss of the season. It was also the first time since 2017 that the Huskers fell to an unranked opponent. But the story doesn’t end there! SMU is back, and they’ve done it again, pulling off another jaw-dropping performance that has the crowd buzzing with excitement.

They’ve done it again!

In an electrifying face-off between SMU and the top-ranked Panthers, SMU pulled off a stunning victory! This wasn’t a straightforward win but a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat battle that had fans on their feet. It was a nail-biting five-set showdown, with scores of 19-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-23, 15-9. NCAA Volleyball’s official handle, posted, “UPSET ALERT. No. 15 @SMUVolleyball beat No. 1 Pitt in 5 sets!” 

Pitt had only dropped one set all season, but SMU’s Mustangs changed that. After a tough 12-point third-set loss, SMU rallied, taking the fourth and forcing Pitt into a rare fifth set—their first since last year’s regional finals.

With experience on their side, having won a five-setter against Boston College just days earlier, the Mustangs went up 2-0 and stayed ahead. Even as Pitt closed in at 8-7, SMU pulled away with a 5-1 run. Natalie Foster sealed the win with her fifth ace, mirroring her performance against Nebraska, while Naya Shime led with 20 kills at .289.

This victory sent fans into a frenzy! One fan reposted the tweet, proudly dubbing SMU as the “Giant Killers,” and it’s easy to see why. Defeating any team is impressive, but taking down the top 2 while standing unranked? That’s a different level of legendary.

SMU drives community crazy after 2nd jaw-dropper amid a delightful run

SMU didn’t just take down No. 2 Nebraska; they followed it up by stunning No. 1 Pitt as well, both victories happening right in Dallas! How special is that? One fan summed it up perfectly, saying, “No. 1 Pitt and No. 2 Nebraska each have one loss this season. Both teams suffered that defeat in Dallas to SMU.” It seems like these top two teams will have quite the unforgettable tour of Dallas, etched in their minds as they head home with a taste of defeat!

SMU’s impressive win over Nebraska last month showcased their dominance, notching 7 aces while Nebraska had just 1. Senior Naya Shime led with 9 kills and 5 blocks, while Nnedi Okammo added 9 blocks to stifle Nebraska’s offense. Trailing 21-16 in the first set, the Mustangs roared back to take it 25-23. Nebraska struggled to regain momentum, finishing with a .171 hitting percentage and 11 service errors.

One fan exclaimed, “Not an upset — Ponies are for real!!” The Mustangs are clearly proving they’re serious contenders! Another fan jumped into the conversation, exclaiming, “DOWN GOES #1!!!!!!!!🤯#15 @SMUVolleyball hands Pitt their first loss of the season, and the Mustangs have now taken down the #2 and #1 teams in the country at home😱 #NCAAWVB.”

In the last 4 weeks, the Mustangs have been nationally ranked, while they’ve never received a top-25 ranking in their first 27 seasons. This team could be on its way to their top-10 ranking in program history!

“It’s a really special year,” HC Sam Erger said. “I think Dallas is this incredible opportunity to build something really special here. … This nucleus of our culture has been growing over time, so we’re finally seeing some fruit of seeds that were planted and taken care of, honestly, for years.” It’s obvious that SMU volleyball is making a serious comeback, and the fans are loving every minute of it!