SAU Eliminated by Henderson State
Posted by Houston Taylor on October 30, 2008 · Leave a Comment
By: Houston Taylor
MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Any outside chance Southern Arkansas had in advancing to the post-season Gulf South Conference volleyball tournament was shot down as they fell 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 22-25, 20-25) to Henderson State Thursday at the W.T. Watson Athletic Center.
The loss dropped the Lady Muleriders (10-18) to 2-9 in league play with only one match remaining in the season. As it stands, a minimum of at least four conference wins would be necessary to advance. The Lady Reddies (6-21, 3-7 GSC) kept their hopes alive and have two matches left.
SAU pounded the ball, getting 54 kills to HSU’s 40, but gave up 44 points combined through the four sets on 20 attack, 15 service, three block, and six ball-handling errors. Even with the mistakes, they still out-hit their opponent, .230 to .193.
Quen Banks had a match-high 14 kills in leading Henderson State and was joined by teammate Tania Liufau’s 11. Liufau also had six blocks, including five solo, and Bethany Wright had 25 digs.
Sarah Bell recorded 13 kills in pacing Southern Arkansas, while Maggie Ross chipped in 12. Michaela Scroggins tossed up 39 assists, and Bell added three service aces.
Mallory McKee posted her 18th career match of 30-plus digs, finishing with 32, while Scroggins had 11. McKee went over the 500-dig mark for the year, a feat she has accomplished every season of her four-year career. Veronica Ogbeide matched Liufau with six blocks, also with five solo.
As the only seniors on the squad, Bell, McKee and Ogbeide were playing in the final home match of their careers. The Lady Muleriders end their season on Tuesday, traveling to Arkadelphia to face Ouachita Baptist at 7 p.m.
