MAGNOLIA, Ark. - After a six-match week to open the 2017 season, the Southern Arkansas Volleyball team is back in action tonight at Central Baptist College in Conway, Arkansas. First-serve from inside A.R. Reddin Fieldhouse is scheduled for 6 p.m.

The Lady Muleriders (2-4) most recent action came at the South Central Classic in Durant, Oklahoma, where they went 1-3 in regional competition that included a four-set win over Texas A&M International. SAU began the season a week ago at the Williams Baptist Tri-Match, going 1-1 with a victory over host Williams Baptist.  

Through six games, Southern Arkansas has seen the emergence of freshman right side hitter Morgan Gross as the Bandera, Texas, native currently leads the team in kills (50), kills per set (2.27), and service aces (13), while recording the second-most digs (49), total blocks (10.0), total attacks (130) and attack percentage with 30 or more kills (.215). In just her second collegiate game, a four-set win over Williams Baptist, Gross went for 18 kills at an attack percentage of .297 and added ten digs in her first career double-double effort.

Three additional players have logged 30-plus kills during the early going of the season: senior outside hitter Alexia Southern (37 | 1.68/set), freshman middle hitter Bailey Cagle (34 | 1.62/set), and senior middle hitter Alli O'Banion (32 | 1.45). The trio also ranks in the top four in total blocks for SAU with O'Banion's 18.0 leading the way. Through six games, Southern Arkansas has recorded 37.0 total blocks at 1.68 per set; up nine total blocks and 0.61 blocks per set through the team's first six games last fall. 

In addition to the blocking improvement early on, the Lady Muleriders have seen five players record 30 or more digs led by sophomore defensive specialist Whitney Brown's 51 digs at 2.43 per set. Gross follows with 49 digs, while freshman libero Alana Perez adds 45 and Southern chips in with 35. Sophomore setter Alexa Bass has recorded 33 digs and through 21 sets played in her first year at SAU leads the team in assists with 110 at 5.24 assists per set. 

Central Baptist enters tonight's non-conference meeting at 6-3 on the season, which includes a 4-1 start in August and a 2-2 showing at the Philander Smith Classic this past weekend. Sarah Clemmons (2.56 kills per set) and Kelsey Knox (2.58 kills per set) pace the Lady Mustangs offensively. Five players own 14 or more service aces led by Emily Harp's 17. CBC is currently ranked 13th in NAIA Division I in total service aces (82) and 19th in service aces per set (2.48).

Clemmons leads the team in total blocks with 27.0 with Harp contributing the second-most total blocks at 17.0. Madelyn Black sets up the CBC offense as she leads the team in assists with 115 at 3.48 per set. The Lady Mustangs return American Midwest Conference Honorable Mention honoree Lenee Gibson, who currently leads CBC in digs with 110 at 3.55 per set and also ranks second on the team in service aces with 15. 

For a more in-depth look at Central Baptist College: http://www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Team/TeamPage.aspx?association=10&sg=WVB&sea=NAIWVB_2017&team=15600 

Tuesday night's matchup will mark the seventh meeting between the two programs since 2011. The Lady Muleriders are 6-0 all-time against Central Baptist.

Live stats for tonight's game can be accessed here: http://www.dakstats.com/Websync/Pages/WebcastPlayByPlay/WebcastPBP.aspx?association=10&sg=WVB&compID=122562&sea=NAIWVB_2017