Honestly, if you weren't paying attention to Dallas this past fall, you missed a literal earthquake in the college volleyball world. People thought SMU moving to the ACC was going to be a "learning year." You know the vibe—small fish, big pond, lots of growing pains.
The SMU volleyball schedule 2024 didn't just suggest otherwise; it practically screamed it.
Coach Sam Erger didn't bring a knife to a gunfight. She brought a bazooka. The Mustangs didn't just survive their first year in a "Power 4" conference; they tore through it like they'd lived there for decades. By the time the dust settled at Moody Coliseum, SMU had knocked off the #1 and #2 teams in the country. Let that sink in.
The Schedule That Changed Everything
When the 2024 slate first dropped, fans were circling the dates with a bit of nerves. It started out West at the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic. It wasn't perfect. They dropped a heartbreaker to Hawaii (2-3) on August 30th. Most teams would have let that 0-1 start linger.
SMU just got meaner.
They bounced back to beat San Diego, then flew back to Dallas for a date with destiny. On September 3rd, #2 Nebraska rolled into town. Nebraska is the blue blood of the sport. They don't lose 3-0 often. Actually, they almost never lose like that. But the Mustangs swept them. It was the "Oh, they're for real" moment that launched the season into the stratosphere.
Key Non-Conference Results
- W, 3-1 vs. San Diego (The momentum shifter)
- W, 3-0 vs. #2 Nebraska (The world-shaker)
- W, 3-0 at #18 Baylor (The statement win on the road)
- L, 0-3 vs. #10 Kentucky (The reality check)
The non-conference portion was basically a gauntlet designed to see if this roster could handle the ACC. They finished it battle-tested.
Entering the ACC Gauntlet
Transitioning to the ACC meant facing a lineup of killers every Wednesday and Friday. We're talking Pitt, Louisville, Stanford—programs with national championship trophies in their lobbies.
The SMU volleyball schedule 2024 forced them to start with five straight road matches. That is brutal. Most teams would go 2-3 or 1-4. The Mustangs went 4-1. They handled Georgia Tech and Clemson with ease, survived a five-set thriller at Boston College, and only tripped up against #1 Pitt on the road.
Then came October 12th. The rematch.
#1 Pitt came to Dallas. Moody Coliseum was electric. The "Stampede" student section was losing their minds. In a five-set war, SMU took down the top-ranked team in the nation. It was the first time in program history they’d beaten a #1.
The Players Who Made the Magic Happen
You can't talk about the schedule without the women who played it. The roster was a mix of veteran "super-seniors" and high-impact transfers.
Jamison Wheeler was the heart. She’s one of only seven players in SMU history to hit 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs. She surpassed the 1K kill mark against Clemson and the 1K dig mark against North Carolina. Talk about a legendary senior year.
Naya Shime and Celia Cullen were the engines. Cullen’s setting was surgical all year. It’s no wonder they both landed on the All-ACC First Team. Then you have Natalie Foster in the middle—a transfer from Wichita State who became an absolute wall at the net.
Fun fact: Three of these players (Shime, Foster, and Maya Tabron) were actually drafted into the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) right after the season. That’s the level of talent we’re talking about here.
Moody Coliseum: The Unfair Advantage
If you've never been to a match at Moody, you're missing out. It’s intimate. The fans are right on top of the court. After the $40 million renovation, it feels like a pro arena but keeps that "Moody Madness" energy.
During the 2024 run, SMU went 12-6 at home. That might look like a few losses, but look at the quality of opponents. They weren't playing cupcakes; they were hosting the best of the best. The atmosphere in that building is a massive reason why #2 Nebraska and #1 Pitt left Dallas with losses.
Postseason and Final Standings
SMU finished 25-8 overall. In their first year in the ACC, they went 16-4. That put them in 4th place in one of the toughest conferences in America.
They earned a #2 seed in the NCAA Tournament—another program first. They hosted the first two rounds in Dallas. They swept Wichita State in the opener, but eventually fell to Missouri in a 3-1 battle during the second round. It wasn't the deep run they wanted, but it cemented their status as a national powerhouse.
Final 2024 Snapshot
- Overall Record: 25-8
- Conference Record: 16-4 (4th in ACC)
- Ranked Wins: 7 (including #1 Pitt and #2 Nebraska)
- Postseason: NCAA Second Round
What This Means for 2025 and Beyond
If you're looking at the SMU volleyball schedule 2024 and thinking it was a fluke, look at the recruiting. Coach Erger just inked four high-level transfers for the 2026 season and three top high school recruits. The program isn't slowing down.
They’ve proven that Dallas is a volleyball town. The move to the ACC didn't break them; it made them. They’ve raised their profile so high that they're now competing for the same recruits as Texas and Stanford.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Get Tickets Early: Season tickets for 2025 and 2026 are already seeing record renewals. Don't wait until the Nebraska or Pitt matches are announced to look for seats.
- Watch the ACCN: If you can’t make it to Moody, almost every conference match is on the ACC Network or ACCNX.
- Follow the Pros: Keep an eye on Naya Shime (Grand Rapids Rise) and Natalie Foster (Orlando Valkyries) in the PVF. Their success reflects directly on the SMU development system.
- Attend the Scrimmages: The Red and Blue scrimmage in August is the best way to see the new transfers before the "real" schedule kicks off.
The 2024 season was a landmark. It shifted the expectations for every other sport at SMU. It proved that with the right coaching and a loud enough crowd, the Hilltop can beat anyone. Literally anyone.
Next Steps: You should check out the current 2025 roster updates to see how they're replacing the departing seniors, or look into the "Chalk Talk" events with Coach Erger if you're a season ticket holder.