The SMU Mustangs women's volleyball team is the NCAA Division I women's volleyball team at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. The program began its first season in 1996. Its current head coach is Sam Erger. Their first head coach was Lisa Seifert, who led the program from 1996–2021.[3] She finished her career with 415 wins, the second-most of any coach at SMU.
In SMU Volleyball's 2016 post-season, the Mustangs beat the Texas A&M Aggies in 3 straight sets (25-23, 25-23, 25-18) to advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament. This was the Mustangs second year to qualify for the tournament and first year to advance to the second round where they played the University of Texas Longhorns. SMU became the first American Athletic Conference Team to win an NCAA match after losing to Purdue in the first round of the NCAA tournament in 2015.[4]
The 2019 season was another success. It resulted in a west-side AAC championship for the Mustangs. After winning their side of the conference, the Mustangs attended the AAC tournament when they were swept by UCF. Shortly after this season ended COVID-19 came into play. All volleyball operations were halted in March 2020 and the Mustangs didn't practice for 5 months. Their 2020 fall season got postponed until the spring of 2021.
2024 Season
SMU knocked off 2nd-ranked Nebraska at Moody Coliseum [5] and then SMU defeated 18th-ranked Baylor.[6]
SMU was ranked in top 25 checking at 22 in American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Coaches Poll for the first time in program history.[7] On October 12, 2024, SMU knocked off 1st-ranked Pitt giving both Nebraska and Pittsburgh their only loss.[8] They defeated Wichita State in the 1st round of the NCAA tournament before falling in the 2nd round to Missouri.
