BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southern Arkansas' nine-match winning streak came to an end Saturday as they ran into trouble in the Southwest Baptist Crossover, dropping a pair of 3-0 matches to both Lindenwood (Mo.) and Fort Hays State (Kan.) at the Meyer Sports Center.
 
The Lady Muleriders (11-4) were close though, dropping the Lindenwood (10-7) contest 23-25, 24-26, 22-25, and then losing 17-25, 17-25, 21-25 to Fort Hays (15-6).
 
Lindenwood hit .273 and had 46 kills to SAU's .161 and 39 in claiming the win.  The Lady Lions got 11 kills apiece from Erin Anselman and Megan Dillon, while Kaila Schrimpf had 17 digs.
 
Southern Arkansas was led by junior outside hitter Courtney Geesing (Montrose, Colo.) and senior middle hitter Courtney Smith (Mansfield, Texas) with nine kills each.  Junior outside hitter Denise De Vine (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) finished with 14 digs, and Geesing and junior middle hitter Cambria Martin (Tujunga, Calif.) had three blocks apiece.
 
It was the second meeting this season for the Lady Muleriders against Fort Hays State, as they dropped a 3-2 decision to the Tigers September 1 in the Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies' Challenge.
 
Jenna Ulrich paced Fort Hays with 10 kills and nine blocks.
 
De Vine led SAU with 10 kills, and Martin added nine.  Junior libero Lauren Woods (Kennedale, Texas) had 14 digs.
 
Southern Arkansas' nine-match winning streak began September 8 with a pair of wins at Hawaii-Hilo, and matches the 1996 team for the most consecutive wins in the school's NCAA history.
 
The Lady Muleriders wrap up play in the crossover Saturday, taking on host Southwest Baptist at 11 a.m., and facing Missouri Southern State at 1:30 p.m.