MAGNOLIA, Ark. – No team from Clark County has been able to defeat the Muleriders while having the support of a raucous W.T. Watson Center chirping behind them. For the second consecutive season, Southern Arkansas has defeated Henderson State inside the W.T. Watson Center to now excel its record to 15-13 overall while being 9-7 in the Great American Conference. The Muleriders gave all 508 fans in attendance a spectacle to witness for Senior Night as SAU once again defeats the Reddies in four sets (25-16, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23) while playing at home. With this win, SAU could look at a higher seed in the GAC Tournament next week than predicted by the analysts.
 
The highlight of the night would have to be the send-off for senior Morgan Schuster. While she still has at least one more game left in her career as a 'Rider, Schuster's career inside the W.T. Watson has come to a sweet end.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Speaking of Morgan Schuster, she recorded her tenth double-double of the 2023 season while also accounting for her 32^nd of her career. She tallied 35 assists and 18 digs on her last night at home. Landry Rogers led the 'Riders in total kills/points with 14 kills and an attack percentage of .300. She also was responsible for a couple block assists to earn her 15.0 total points. Kayte Delong sat just behind Rogers as she tallied 13 kills with a .191 hit percentage and a solo block. Isla Olivas was the 'Riders lead blocker with one of her own and two shared. Jada Hudson also recorded a solo and assisted block. Defense was key in this matchup as four Muleriders (Alessia Sonzini, Brinklee Dauenhauer, Schuster, Hudson) recorded double-digit digs with Sonzini leading with 28 digs.
 
SET ONE
The 'Riders and Reddies were in an absolute slugfest in the inaugural set till HSU's 7-8 lead over SAU. Following this point the Muleriders began a 11-3 run initiated by three Henderson State attack errors that elevated Southern Arkansas to an 18-11 lead. SAU would not let up as they cruised to a set one victory 25-16.
 
SET TWO
Much like the first, the Muleriders gained a huge lead over Henderson State in the second set, but this time much earlier. SAU started the following set with a 10-3 lead to give them the initial upper hand. The Reddies would however close the gap with a 3-9 run to cut the 'Riders lead down to one. The Muleriders would answer the retaliation with a 5-0 series to go back up 18-12. From this point Henderson State would put up nine more points while SAU would close out the set with seven of their own to win the second set 25-21.
 
SET THREE
With a sweep in reach, Southern Arkansas looked to shutout the Ravine at home this season, but was met with different thoughts from Henderson State. The third started with another shootout, but would determined by a Reddies 2-9 run from the 7-9 point. Henderson State did not surrender their lead no matter the momentum gained by the Muleriders. The Reddies won set three 21-25.
 
SET FOUR
The Muleriders goal now was to put the Reddies away in four and avoid their fifth five-set of 2023. SAU started the set with another early advantage up 6-3 but would be declined time to breathe as Henderson State came back with four consecutive points to take the lead up 6-7. The 'Riders countered with a 7-3 run to go up three again at 13-10, but once again was met by the Reddies balanced squad as they went back up 16-17 after a 3-7 run of their own. The fourth set advanced to a 21-23 game with Mulerider faithful preparing for a fifth-set, but not losing hope just yet. Thankfully neither did Alli O'Banion and her Muleriders as Southern Arkansas ripped off a late 4-0 run to close out the regular season and to defeat Henderson State in the W.T. Watson Center once more.
 
UP NEXT
The Muleriders will not be watching the Great American Conference Tournament on a stream for the first time since 2015. Rather, they will be participating in the event as the fifth seeded team and are set to rematch with the four-seeded Henderson State Reddies in Hot Springs, Arkansas next Thursday. For more information on Mulerider Volleyball or other athletic events, check out www.MuleriderAthletics.com or look us up @muleridersports on X, Facebook, and Instagram.