Huskies Drop Close Battle With No. 11 Mustangs

Thursday, September 4

Dallas, Texas

5:00 PM

University of Washington

1-3,0-0Big Ten

SMU

3-0,0-0ACC

Washington

SMU

September 04, 2025 | Volleyball

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By: UW Athletic Communications

DALLAS – Washington put forth a strong effort in a top-25 road test but couldn't lasso the upset, as 11th-ranked SMU topped the Huskies, 23-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-19 at Moody Coliseum. Freshman Simona Mateska made her first start and contributed in a big way with 13 kills and a pair of aces, and native Texan Zoria Heard posted 17 digs in her homecoming.

The Huskies dropped to 1-3 but were in close contact with one of the nation's top teams from start to nearly finish, with SMU getting its only medium-sized lead near the end of set four when it led by as much as six.

Washington hit .239 but SMU's offense gradually asserted itself after UW slowed them down in set one. The Mustangs hit at least .460 in each of the final three sets, and wound up at .385 overall.

Senior Alexa Markley led the Huskies for the first time this season with 16 kills, hitting .324. Junior Kierstyn Barton had 15 kills and hit .227 while Mateska tallied 13 kills, including seven in the opening set when the Dawgs took the lead. Alexis Haury dished out 37 assists and added eight digs, two aces and three blocks.