[September 26, 2007]

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas claimed a five-set win (30-23, 30-23, 24-30, 21-30, 15-10) over Southeastern Oklahoma State and snapped a 10 game losing streak in the process Tuesday in volleyball action at the W.T. Watson Athletic Center.

The Lady Muleriders’ last win had come September 4 at East Texas Baptist in a 3-0 shutout. SAU looked poised to repeat that performance against the Savage Storm in winning the first two games, but SOSU rallied to take the next two, before Southern Arkansas won the deciding fifth contest.

The Lady Muleriders had been struggling in attacking and had not out-hit an opponent since the East Texas Baptist win, but turned that around with a .201 hitting percentage to Southeastern Oklahoma’s .171. SAU just edged the Savage Storm in kills, 63-61, but had four fewer attack errors (26-30) in three more attempts.

Southern Arkansas’ Cristina Correa, a junior transfer from DePaul, scored a season-high 20 kills to lead all players, getting six in the first game alone. Senior Kristina Daily chipped in 14. Kayli Kerr and Andrea Spradlin continued their rotation at setter, finishing with 27 and 22 assists, respectively.
Junior Mallory McKee helped lead the Lady Mulerider defense with a match-high 26 digs. McKee earlier set the SAU record for career digs with 11 September 8 in a loss to Saint Leo (Fla.) at the West Florida Regional Crossover. She passed Shanna Hamilton who totaled 1,221 from 1995-98. McKee currently has 1,363 in her career.

Red-shirt freshman Maggie Ross was strong at the net, posting a season-high 10 blocks, while Veronica Ogbeide tied a season-high with seven.

SOSU got 16 kills from Krista Stamp, while Destiny Brown had 14, and Jordan Parks added 13. Lindsay Ellisor dished out 49 assists to her teammates. Mashequah Gentry led five Southeastern Oklahoma players in double-figures in digs with 17.

Southern Arkansas returns to Gulf South Conference action Thursday, hosting Arkansas-Monticello in a 7 p.m. match, and will face Christian Brothers Sunday at 1 p.m. in Magnolia.

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