AUSTIN, Texas. – The Southern Arkansas Lady Mulerider Volleyball team dropped their first pair of matches at the Hilltopper Classic in Austin, Texas on Friday with a loss in match one to St. Edwards University (19-25, 13-25, 16-25) followed by a loss to University of Texas- Permian Basin in match two (18-25, 17-25, 20-25).
 
Early on in the first set of match one, the Lady Muleriders tied the game at 1-all on an Alli O'Banion kill, then took their only lead of the game on the next point as an attack error on the Hilltoppers fell in SAU's favor. After tying the game at 2-all, St. Edward's scored the next three points and maintained the lead for the rest of the set, ending with a 25-19 decision. In set two, the Hilltoppers jumped out to an early 4-0 lead with SAU coming as close as a 2-point deficit before SEU eventually took the set, 25-13, aided by eight opponent errors. The final set saw four tie scores as the Lady Muleriders led the scoring until mid-way through when SEU captured the lead on a 10-0 run that led to the eventual final score of 25-16.
 
In the second match, the Lady Muleriders dropped three sets to UTPB. The Falcons claimed the lead early in the match as they won the first two sets with final scores of 25-18 in set one and 25-17 in set two. In the final set, the score was tied eight times and SAU led twice in the contest, but eventually lost with a final score of 25-20.
 
Alli O'Banion led both matches in kills with 18 total on the day. Bailey Cagle totaled for six blocks on the day and O'Banion followed with four. Morgan Gross had 16 total digs and 10 kills on the day.
 
The Lady Muleriders will conclude play in the Hilltopper Classic with a pair of matches tomorrow. The first match with Black Hills State University is slated for 10 a.m. and the second match with Midwestern State is at 2 p.m.