Hilltop Visits: SMU Volleyball's Sam Erger, Ellie Bolton

Two seniors reflect on productive fall semesters, their team's campaign

By: SMU Athletic Communications | November 29, 2022

Erger and Bolton are leaders for the Mustangs on and off the court

SMU volleyball seniors Sam Erger and Ellie Bolton have made significant impacts on the SMU volleyball program, and they have more to give before the season ends.

The Mustangs' season comes to an end Saturday, with a match at Tulsa. SMU is 11-18 overall, with a 6-12 record in the American Athletic Conference.

Both Erger and Bolton have been productive for the Mustangs. Erger leads the team with 300 kills, and she is second on the team with 3.1 digs per set. Bolton trails only Erger on the team with 268 kills, and she is one of three Mustangs to appear in all 29 matches this season.

Both Erger and Bolton have also been successful in the classroom. Erger, a biology major, has a 3.83 GPA. Bolton, an applied physiology and sports management major, carries a 3.77 GPA.

This was not the 2022 season that the Mustangs had hoped for with a 6-12 record in the American Athletic Conference. However, Erger and Bolton are both looking to finish their careers on a high note in Tulsa on Saturday night and hope to guide the Mustangs to a victory.

"It's been bittersweet," Erger said. "It's gone by so fast. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have played here and be a part of this program. I wouldn't have wanted to do it anywhere else."

"It's been an amazing four years," Bolton said. "I've learned so much, both on and off the court. I'm just grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this program. I'm confident that we can finish the season on a high note."

Bolton, if healthy, should start next to Erger for the 30th time this year which will not only start the match but begin their final career match at SMU.