Monticello, Ark. – The SAU Volleyball team were unable to overcome a slow start on Tuesday as they fell in straight sets in a Battle of the Timberlands matchup versus the Blossoms.

The Blossoms recorded the first nine points of the game as that initial run set the tone for the match.

The Muleriders only recorded 22 kills on the night, hitting .054 in the process; the Muleriders did record more blocks and service aces than their rivals to the east did.

Abby Bermudez was one of three Muleriders to record a team-high five kills; the sophomore also served two aces and blocked five Blossom attacks (one solo, four assisted).

Morgan Gross and Ciarra Tolley were the other two Muleriders to record five kills, with Tolley doing so at a .308 clip, while Gross added in a service ace and three blocks (one solo, two assist).

Libero Alana Perez dug a team-high 12 times while setter Morgan Schuster recorded 18 assists.

The Muleriders finish out their road account this Thursday in Arkadelphia against Henderson State.