Box Score ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - #21 Southern Arkansas earned a 5-2 victory over Delta State on Saturday afternoon from the Ward Tennis Center in Arkadelphia. With the win, the Muleriders remain unbeaten in season-opening matches under fifth-year head coach Greg Owen.
 
Southern Arkansas (1-0) dropped the doubles point as DSU won at lines one and two to start the match. But it was nearly all Muleriders in singles play.
 
Line one player Sander Jans, an MIAA-GAC all-league selection last season, edged the Statesmen's Emilliano Elizarraraz 7-6 (5), 6-3. Newcomer Mathieu Wierniezky won 6-4, 7-6 (4) over Jordan Hays at No. 2 in his Mulerider debut.
 
Impressive junior Ole Valkyser handled Jude Herault 6-1, 6-2 at line three, while Gabriel Breitenmoser cruised past Seb Sola 6-2, 6-0 at line five. Ben Schneider won at No. 6 to round out the match-winning action for the Muleriders.
 
After dropping neutral site meetings to the Statesmen in both 2020 and 2021, the Muleriders have earned wins in consecutive seasons to move the NCAA series record between the foes to 2-2.
 
The Muleriders return to play on Monday, February 6 for a return trip to Arkadelphia to take on Southwest Baptist. Since the first meeting between the two programs in the spring of 2020, SAU is 5-0 against SBU. Results of the match will be made available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com.