MAGNOLIA, Ark. – As it has been said a numerous amount of times this campaign, for the first time since 2015 the Southern Arkansas University Muleriders are preparing for the Great American Conference Volleyball Tournament scheduled for this Thursday through Saturday. The Muleriders enter the mix as the fifth ranked seed of the top eight teams to advance. Their first test in the fixture will also be their final test of the regular season as they clash with the fourth seeded Henderson State Reddies one last time in 2023 at 5:30 p.m. on November 16.
 
In just her second season as the SAU Volleyball head coach, Alli O'Banion has accomplished more than any coach previous since she herself competed on the court in that 2015 season. Southern Arkansas completed the regular season with a record above .500 for the first time since 2015 (15-13), an above .500 record in conference since 2015 (9-7), and reached 15 wins for the first time since 2015. She has ended multiple losing streaks against GAC foes such as Arkansas Tech, Southern Nazarene, Northwestern Oklahoma State, and Southwestern Oklahoma State. The Muleriders have also defeated the most Sooner State conference competition this season since 2012 when the 'Riders finished the year 23-12 (11-3) with six Oklahoma victories.
 
THE 'RIDERS
SAU has finished the 2023 regular season with six players having scores 100+ kills. That is the most Muleriders to do so since 2018. Southern Arkansas is currently ranked in the top ten of the conference for every noted statistic, but those are highlighted by being second in the GAC in attacks per set (37.64 | 34^th nationally), fourth in aces per set (1.57), fourth in service aces (166), fifth in total attacks (3,990 | 42^nd nationally), fifth in team digs (1,768 | 49^th nationally), and then sixth in digs per set (16.68 | 59^th nationally).
 
WHO TO LOOK FOR
Kayte Delong has been on a rampage of a second half of the season as she leads the Muleriders offensive might with 246 kills with an averaged .270 hitting percentage (10^th GAC) and 277.5 total points. Jada Hudson sits right behind her with 194 kills while Isla Olivas is second in attack percentage with .255, and Moultrie is second in total points with 251. The Peach State native sits at second in points due to her 96 total blocks this fall (3^rd GAC). Senior Morgan Schuster prepares for her last hurrah as she leads the squad with 590 assists (7^th GAC) and 37 service aces (6^th GAC). Alessia Sonzini leads her not so new squad in protecting the backline with 337 digs while ranking tenth in the conference with 4.11 digs per set.
 
'RIDERS 2023 PERFORMANCE VS SEEDED TEAMS
#1 Harding (18-10 | 13-3 GAC)
L, 0-3; 11/6 at Harding | L, 1-3; 9/12 at SAU
Last Tournament Matchup: W, 3-0; 2015 Quarterfinals
 
#2 Oklahoma Baptist (19-8 | 13-3 GAC)
L, 0-3; 10/12 at Oklahoma Baptist
Last Tournament Matchup: N/A
 
#3 Southwestern Oklahoma State (18-8 | 12-4 GAC)
W, 3-2; 10/20 at SAU
Last Tournament Matchup: L, 1-3; 2015 Finals
 
#4 Henderson State (19-10 | 10-6 GAC)
W, 3-1; 9/26 at SAU | L, 0-3; 11/9 at Henderson State
Last Tournament Matchup: N/A
 
#6 East Central (14-14 | 9-7 GAC)
W, 3-2; 10/6 at SAU
Last Tournament Matchup: W, 3-2; 2012 Quarterfinals
 
#7 Ouachita Baptist (17-14 | 9-7 GAC)
W, 3-0; 9/28 at SAU | L, 1-3; 11/2 at Ouachita Baptist
Last Tournament Matchup: N/A
 
#8 Southeastern Oklahoma State (12-16 | 7-9 GAC)
L, 1-3; 10/5 at SAU
Last Tournament Matchup: L, 0-3; 2014 Quarterfinals
 
Henderson State (19-10 | 10-6 GAC)

• Henderson State is coming off of its tenth loss of the year and its sixth loss in the Great American Conference to SAU as the Muleriders capped off the regular season with a senior night triumph.
• The Reddies ranks first in opposing hitting percentage by just allowing .131 (15^th nationally), total blocks with 237.5 (28^th nationally), digs/set with 18.29 (11^th nationally), and blocks/set with 2.22 (35^th nationally). HSU sits at second in the league for team digs (1,957 | 12^th nationally). Henderson State is third in the GAC for team total blocks (213.5 | 31^st nationally).
• Trinity Sharp sits at third in the league for total digs with 472 (53^rd nationally) and in digs/set with 4.67 (59^th nationally). Larkin Luke rests at second in the conference for total blocks with 99 and third in hitting percentage with .324. The junior also ranks second in the conference for blocks/set with 0.96.

For more information on Mulerider Volleyball and other athletic events, check out www.MuleriderAthletics.com or look us up @muleridersports on X, Facebook, and Instagram.