Southern Methodist Mustangs Launch Season at Hawaii Volleyball Classic

Mustangs Look To Start Strong in Honolulu

The Southern Methodist University (SMU) Mustangs volleyball team is set to open their 2023 season at the prestigious Hawaii Volleyball Classic. The Mustangs will face three tough opponents in the tournament, including the host Hawaii Rainbow Wahine, the University of San Diego Toreros, and the University of Utah Utes.

Mustangs Return Key Players

The Mustangs are coming off a successful 2022 season, in which they finished with a 20-12 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The team returns several key players from that squad, including senior outside hitter Morgan Heise and junior middle blocker Savannah Davison.

Heise and Davison Lead the Way

Heise was a First Team All-American Athletic Conference selection last season, and she led the Mustangs in kills (407) and digs (343). Davison was also a key contributor, ranking second on the team in blocks (103) and third in kills (276).

Newcomers Add Depth

The Mustangs also added several newcomers to the roster this season, including freshman outside hitter Lily Heim and junior libero Jillian Wisener. Heim was a standout player at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Wisener transferred to SMU from the University of Texas at Austin.

Heim and Wisener Bring Experience

Heim was a two-time all-state selection in high school, and she helped lead Bishop Gorman to a state championship in 2022. Wisener has two years of starting experience at Texas, and she was a member of the Longhorns' 2021 Big 12 championship team.

Tough Competition in Hawaii

The Mustangs will face a tough challenge in the Hawaii Volleyball Classic. The Rainbow Wahine are the defending Big West Conference champions, and they are ranked No. 18 in the AVCA preseason poll. The Toreros are coming off a 20-win season, and the Utes are a rising program that finished with a 17-11 record last year.

Mustangs Ready for the Challenge

Despite the tough competition, the Mustangs are confident that they can make a strong showing in Honolulu. "We're excited to get the season started," said head coach Jason Watson. "We have a lot of talent on this team, and we're ready to compete against the best."

Conclusion

The Southern Methodist Mustangs volleyball team is set to open their 2023 season at the Hawaii Volleyball Classic. The Mustangs return several key players from last year's successful squad, and they have added several talented newcomers to the roster. The Mustangs will face a tough challenge in Honolulu, but they are confident that they can make a strong showing and start the season on a positive note.