Sam Erger, the head volleyball coach at Southern Methodist University, has been suspended for two games following a violation regarding impermissible communication, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the university. This suspension was self-imposed by SMU Athletics and occurred on August 29 and 30.
During Erger's absence, the Mustangs secured victories against Colorado State and UC Davis, winning the first match in four sets and the second in five sets. Suli Davis, a sophomore outside hitter, stood out by recording her first double-double with 22 kills and 14 digs in the match against Colorado State.
Erger returned to coaching on September 2 during a match against TCU, where the Mustangs fell in five sets. In that game, Davis again led the team, contributing 15 kills, while freshman Bojana Ambulija made a notable debut with 13 kills.
Erger has been at the helm of the SMU volleyball program since February 2022 and has guided the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet Sixteen finish in 2025. Last season, the Mustangs achieved 27 wins, equaling the program's record for the most wins in a season.
The team is next set to compete against the University of San Diego, with the match available for streaming on ESPN+. Further details regarding the nature of the communication violation remain confidential due to NCAA regulations.
