MAGNOLIA, Ark. – For the second time in as many weeks, Southern Arkansas Men's Tennis is set for action in Edmond, Oklahoma, as the Muleriders carry the top seed into the Sooner State for the NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament. Up first for the Muleriders is No. 4 seed Harding. First serve is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday, May 7. The winner of Friday's match will play the winner of No. 2 Northwest Missouri and No. 3 Washburn on Saturday, May 8 for the opportunity to advance to the National Championship Tournament in Surprise, Arizona, on May 18-20.
 
Southern Arkansas (12-5) and Harding (9-7) encounter each other for the third time this season with Friday's meeting serving as the rubber match. SAU topped the Bisons 6-1 in nonconference action in Arkadelphia on February 27. Harding beat SAU 4-0 in an MIAA-GAC South Division contest in Searcy on April 1.
 
In the league foes' first matchup this spring, the Muleriders swept the doubles point with 6-4 victories at all three lines. Southern Arkansas used singles wins at No. 2, No. 4, No. 3, No. 5 and No. 6 to nearly sweep all seven possible points. In the second meeting, Harding claimed wins at two of the three doubles lines and won at No. 2, No. 6 and No. 5.
 
It will be the Muleriders' fifth meeting with Harding since 2018-19; Southern Arkansas' first year of NCAA competition and first year of collegiate tennis since 1992-93. The Muleriders claimed its first NCAA matchup with the Bisons 4-2 in Magnolia on April 2, 2019. HU shutout SAU 4-0 in the opening round of the GAC Tournament on April 26, 2019.
 
For more insight into the Muleriders' season as well as the team earning the top seed in the Central Region, visit: https://muleriderathletics.com/news/2021/5/4/mens-tennis-mulerider-mens-tennis-earns-top-seed-for-central-region-tournament.aspx.