Magnolia, Ark. - Mulerider Volleyball heads to the Sooner state to continue GAC play against two Oklahoma schools this week. Southern Arkansas will take on Northwestern Oklahoma state on Thursday, September 29 and Southwestern Oklahoma State on Friday, September 30.

The Riders are coming off of a 3-1 win over Henderson State on September 22 at home where play was highlighted by sophomores Isla Olivas and Anna Crittenden and junior Morgan Schuster. Olivas recorded four service aces and posted a .350 hitting percentage. Schuster followed with a .333 hitting percentage and 26 assists while Crittenden led the team with 12 kills.

Northwestern Oklahoma State

Going into the matchup on Thursday, the Rangers are 3-2 in conference play, and are on a two-game losing streak. They have lost their last two matchups against Southwestern Oklahoma State and Southeastern Oklahoma State. With both of these losses happening on the road, Northwestern is posting a 2-0 record at home. Southern Arkansas will serve as the first GAC Arkansas team that NWOSU will face as GAC play between the states commences this week.

The last time the Riders and Rangers played was October 23, 2021 where the Rangers won 3-2 despite the Muleriders collecting more kills (60), Aces (8), assists (51), and digs (88). The last time SAU beat NWOSU was October 7, 2016 where the Riders won in straight sets.

Northwestern's Addison Wimmer leads GAC in with an average 4.67 kills per set and 5.09 points per set. Setter Cameron Lobb ranks second in service aces, averaging 0.47 per set and ranks fourth with 9.96 assists per set. Freshman Andrea Coady ranks third in the GAC with her 5.14 digs per set and Carmae Jones ranks fourth in blocks, averaging 1.02 per set

Southwestern Oklahoma State

Going into this week, SWOSU is 3-2 in conference play with a matchup against UAM slated for Thursday. Their last game came as a four-set win (25-22, 17-25, 25-12, 25-22) against Northwestern Oklahoma State on September 23 at home, to extend their home winning record to 2-0.

The Muleriders and Bulldogs last played October 22, 2021, a 3-1 (25-22, 20-25, 25-27, 21 -25) Mulerider loss at home. SAU last won in 2014, a 3-1 win in Weatherford.

Southwestern Oklahoma State Ranks third in hitting percentage (.208) assists (11.69 avg/set) and kills (12.80 avg/set). Southwestern's Lacy Mott ranks third in kills, averaging 3.57 per set and third in points with 3.92 avg/set. Samantha Kuzma ranks fourth in hitting percentage (.314) and Zoey Sparks ranks first in blocks (1.17 avg/set).

These matchups will serve as the first of six straight games against Oklahoma teams and also mark the first time teams will play on Thursday and Friday rather than Friday and Saturday.

First serve is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday and 4 p.m. on Friday. Live coverage links will be available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com.

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