MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Mulerider Volleyball returns to Natural State competition following its Sooner State stint of October. Following the stint, Southern Arkansas has improved to a record of 13-10 with a 7-4 record in the conference heading back into Arkansas opposition. The Muleriders prepare themselves for the Russellville, Arkansas atmosphere as they are set to face-off against the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns once more.
 
The last time these two squads faced off, it was behind a rambunctious W.T. Watson Center crowd as SAU secured its first victory over the Goldens Suns since the 2021 spring season. The Muleriders have not defeated the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns in Russellville since being in the Gulf South Conference in 2004. Between that time and now, SAU has only overcome ATU six times with the only non-Magnolia victory coming in 2015 at the Great American Conference Tournament.
 
WHO TO LOOK FOR
The Mulerider offense has been led by Kayte Delong for the majority of the second half of the season, and she continues to do so as she has recorded 191 kills thus far as well as leading the crew with a .280 hitting percentage. Jada Hudson sits behind Delong with 159 kills while Isla Olivas rest in second for attack percentage with .253. continuing to orchestrate the offense is Morgan Schuster with 449 assists which ranks eight in the conference while ranking 13^th in the GAC is Macie Shaver with 361 assists. One of the top defenders in the league, Lauryn Moultrie comes off a week where she earned her second GAC Defensive Player of the Week in 2023. In the week, Moultrie accounted for her 83^rd block of the campaign with an 11 total blocks over two games. Mary Insalaco was given the large task of defending against the high-powered SWOSU offense on Friday and she showed out. The junior is now leading the team in digs once more with 240 while Alessia Sonzini rests behind her with 228.
 
Southern Arkansas currently ranks fourth in the conference in total service aces (139) while sitting at third for aces per set (1.60). The Muleriders also rest at fifth for total attacks among the league while also being fifth for attack percentage at .194 and third for attacks per set at 37.15.
 
Arkansas Tech (2-21 | 1-10 GAC)
The Golden Suns are coming a 1-4 stretch after winning their second game this season against Lane College (8-25 | 7-10 SIAC), but was followed by three consecutive losses to Southeastern Oklahoma State in five (11-12 | 7-5 GAC), East Central in three (11-12 | 6-5), and Drury in four (5-18 | 2-6 GLVC).
 
As previously stated, Southern Arkansas is looking to win its first match in Russellville since 2004. The Muleriders defeated ATU for the first time since the 2021 spring season. Arkansas Tech holds the all-time record with SAU down 24-51.
The Golden Suns currently have just four top ten statistics within the GAC. Those include being ninth in assists per set with 1.37, tenth in blocks per set with 1.35, tenth in attacks per set with 34.51, and tenth in service aces with 112.
 
Arkansas Tech's Lauren Grier currently ranks fifth in the conference for blocks per set with 0.90/set. The last time these two in-state rivals faced off, Grier was responsible for five total blocks in which two were solo and three were assisted. In total, Grier has accounted for ten solo blocks and 43 assisted blocks in the campaign. Kaitlyn Neal leads the group offensively as she has accounted for 179 kills thus far. Neal's primary setter is Gracie Palmer who has recorded 408 assists in the 2023 season. Holding down the backline for the Golden Suns is Jamie Myrick with 324 digs. Myrick currently ranks tenth among GAC competitors in the statistic and also ranks ninth in service aces with 27 recorded.
 
The Muleriders are looking to defeat Arkansas Tech for the second occasion this season, which would be the first time since 2003. Southern Arkansas is scheduled to compete against the Golden Suns Thursday, October 26 at 6:00 p.m. inside the Tucker Coliseum. For more information on Mulerider Volleyball and other sports, check out www.MuleriderAthletics.com or look us up @muleridersports on X, Facebook, and Instagram.