MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University volleyball team will return to the Volunteer State for the second time this season in a span of two weeks, as they are set to play three matches in the Union University Volleyball Invitational in Jackson, Tennessee, this weekend.
The Muleriders will square off against a familiar opponent in Christian Brothers University on Friday evening at 5:00 p.m. to kick of the Invitational. SAU was able to pick up their first win of the season over CBU 3-1 (25-13, 25-15, 13-25, 25-13) just two weeks ago in the Buccaneer Invitational. CBU is now 2-7 on the year, with wins over Erskine, and Fisk.
In their last matchup with CBU, the Muleriders had .208 attack percentage for the match. SAU led the match in kills (39), aces (10), blocks (13), assists (35), and digs (54).
Victoria White had a game high 13 kills, followed by
Isla Olivas with eight.
Morgan Schuster finished with a game high 33 assists and 12 digs in the contest.
On Saturday, SAU will close out the Union Invite with back-to-back matches against Carson-Newman University at 11 a.m., followed by Union University at 1 p.m.
Carson-Newman sits at 3-4 on the year, with wins over Converse, Catawba, and Lincoln Memorial. This will be the first ever matchup between SAU and CNU.
Union currently holds a 6-2 record, which includes a 4-0 start to their season. Their first two losses came this past Saturday against University of Arkansas at Monticello, and Trevecca Nazarene University. SAU is 3-0 all-time against Union, last meeting in 2018 as SAU picked up a 3-0 win in Magnolia.
Abby Bermudez collected seven kills, and one block against the Bulldogs as a freshman in that 2018 win.
This weekend's matches will be the final non-conference matches for the Muleriders this season, as they are set to only face Great American Conference members after this weekend. SAU will return the court on September 21, as they take on UAM in Monticello, Ark.
You can stay up-to-date with all things Mulerider Volleyball by visiting www.muleriderathletics.com or by following Mulerider Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @muleridersports.
