SMU Volleyball Beats Texas, Defends Ranking As Best Team in the State

It took five sets, but SMU proved why it is the highest-ranking collegiate volleyball program in the state as the No. 8-ranked Mustangs topped No. 9 Texas in their mid-week battle in Dallas.

SMU improved to 5-1 on the young season by controlling the shortened final set - a 15-10 win that surpassed any set's margin in the match. In the fifth, SMU went on a scoring run to turn a 2-2 draw into a 10-2 advantage. The Longhorns answered with a run of their own, but a costly service error gave the Mustangs all the juice they needed to complete the match.

The Longhorns, one season removed from a berth in the regional final, dropped to 3-4 on the year, which ties the loss total from Texas' entire 2025 season.

"It's cool to show that we own Texas," said Mustangs middle blocker Favor Anyanwu.

While "rivalry" might not be the right word, it's understandable to see how SMU can find pride in defeating the larger and more generously funded state school from Austin.

There's also a direct connection with the schools' administrations.

SMU president Jay Hartzell took over in Dallas just over a year ago. He previously served as UT Austin's president, leading the university where he got his master's and doctoral degrees, since 2020.

On the court, the top-10 matchup and budding in-state rivalry drew a record crowd of 6,207 to Moody Coliseum. According to SMU Athletics, the match was just the second sellout in program history, and over 800 SMU students were in attendance, a new record.

The Mustangs gave the audience plenty to cheer about.

Anyanwu posted a career-high 16 kills on a dominant .481 hitting percentage, to go along with eight blocks and five digs.

"Favor was truly unstoppable," said SMU head coach Sam Erger.

Both teams traded momentum swings, with SMU winning the first and third sets while the Longhorns took the second and fourth, the latter of which was a 28-26 marathon.

BYU transfer Suli Davis led the Mustangs with 22 kills, as setter Hannah Beauford controlled the action with 53 assists.

"I thought that was just really fun and entertaining volleyball," 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." 

SMU's victory marks 12 wins in a row at the Moody, matching a program record. It is also the Mustangs' second win over a top-10 team this season after beating then-No. 8 Texas A&M in straight sets on Aug. 23, the season-opener.

Up next, the Mustangs travel to the Bahamas to continue facing the best college volleyball has to offer.

SMU plays No. 3 Kentucky in the Paradise Invitational on Saturday, Sep. 12. The next game is against either Houston or No. 14 Purdue.