MAGNOLIA, Ark – Coming off of a shortened season in the spring of 2021 due to Covid-19, the Southern Arkansas University Mulerider volleyball team looks to build on the experience they gained as they open up the 2021 fall season this Friday at the Buccaneer Invitational, hosted by Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee. SAU has seen recent success in winning its season opening match as they have won three of their past four.

The Muleriders are set to play four matches against Division II opponents in Memphis. The first two matches will be played on Friday, September 3, as they take on Kentucky Wesleyan at 9 a.m. and Southwest Baptist at 4:30 p.m. SAU will turn around and play two more matches to close out the CBU Invitational on Saturday, September 6, as they will square up against Charleston at 2 p.m. and Christian Brothers at 7 p.m. The four SAU opponents combined for a 10-33 record in the spring of 2021.

Southern Arkansas was picked to finish 12^th in the Great American Conference, but third-year head coach Lindsey Parks, All-GAC Second Team setter Morgan Schuster, and lone senior Abby Bermudez look to lead a young squad poised to prove the conference wrong. Schuster is fresh off of a spring season that saw her start in all 11 matches, while recording 409 assists with a 9.98 assists per match, which was good for the second best average in the GAC. Sophomore, Victoria White, looks to build on the strong start she had during the spring season as she returns to the Muleriders as the leading attacker. White recorded 100 kills in 36 sets, and earned GAC Offensive Player of the Week honors against Arkansas-Monticello during her shortened freshman campaign.

The Muleriders have a combined 17 freshmen and sophomores on the fall roster that are looking to step up and help lead the team. The rosters includes seven first-year freshmen, four second-year freshmen, three sophomores, and two third-year transfer sophomores.

Parks and the Muleriders will follow up the Buccaneer Invitational with three matches next weekend at the Hendrix Warrior Invitational. SAU will then turn their attention to GAC opponent in Harding University as they are set to host the Bison on Tuesday, September 14.  

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.