MONTICELLO, Ark. – Despite two prolific offensive sets from the Lady Muleriders to open Thursday's Great American Conference meeting with Arkansas-Monticello, Southern Arkansas was unable to claim the match as the Blossoms picked up wins in sets three and four (23-25,27-25,20-25,16-25) inside Steelman Fieldhouse.
Records
Southern Arkansas (9-17, 3-9 GAC)
Arkansas-Monticello (11-13, 7-5 GAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Each team was exceptional on offense in the opening set as both clubs combined for 32 kills and just six attack errors led by SAU's 19 kills on an impressive attack percentage of .577. But it was the Blossoms that scored four of the set's final five points to take the first set 25-23. Senior Serena LeDuff recorded six kills in the opening set and freshman Katy Cooper produced 17 assists.
- A kill from freshman Seven Powers put SAU up 25-24, before a pair of UAM errors capped a prolific second set for Southern Arkansas as the Lady Muleriders hit .421 (17-1-38) committing just one error on their way to tying the match at a set apiece after a 27-25 win.
- After two of their best sets this season, the Lady Muleriders struggled in the third frame committing ten errors and swinging at an even .000 as the Blossoms jumped out to a 6-0 lead and used a 7-2 run midway through the set to take a 2-1 match lead.
- Arkansas-Monticello used the momentum to fend off SAU as the Blossoms used a 6-1 run to close out the match.
- Southern Arkansas committed just five errors in the first two sets, but averaged just shy of nine attack errors in the final two sets.
- UAM registered nine service aces compared to just two by the Lady Muleriders.
FOR SOUTHERN ARKANSAS
- LeDuff finished with 14 kills on a .367 attack percentage (14-3-30), while collecting seven digs, a service ace and one assist.
- Junior Alli O'Banion and freshman Seven Powers added ten kills each, while senior Kaitlyn Reiner chipped in with nine and junior Brittany Lampkin followed with eight.
- Cooper ended her night with 47 assists and two digs shy of her seventh career double-double.
- Graduate Hannah Rice led all players with 19 digs and senior Paige Mays added a dozen. Freshman Riley Marsh added nine digs.
FOR THE OPPOSITION
- Three players recorded ten or more kills led by Shay Mitchell's 17, while Caroline Gasparini added 14 and Kya Standford recorded 11. Gasparini led all players with six service aces.
- Kendall Vondra logged 51 assists.
- Macy Mitchell led the Blossoms with 16 digs, while five other players recorded five or more digs.
OF NOTE
- The Great American Conference race heats up with two weeks left in the regular season. Due to the loss, SAU is now in a three-way tie for 8th-place with East Central and Southwestern Oklahoma State. The Lady Muleriders have the head-to-head win over ECU, but dropped their lone meeting with SWOSU.
- SAU drops to 0-7 in true road games this season.
- The Lady Muleriders are a win away from their tenth win of the season. It would be the seventh season in a row that the Lady Muleriders have recorded ten or more wins.
UP NEXT
- With four games remaining in the regular season, Southern Arkansas returns home for their final three matches inside the W.T. Watson Center beginning with a 7 p.m. first-serve against Harding in a Great American Conference affair slated for Tuesday, November 1.
- Live stats for the contest can be found here: http://www.sidearmstats.com/saumag/wvball/.
- Live video is also available and can be found here: http://livestream.com/accounts/10140781.
- Be sure to visit muleriderathletics.com for continuing coverage of Lady Mulerider Volleyball including pre- and post-game updates, weekly notes, and the coach's show with Head Coach Britney Davis.
