MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas resumed Great American Conference play on Tuesday against the Golden Suns from Arkansas Tech and the Muleriders took down their Natural State foe inside the W.T. Watson Center 3-1 to advance to 7-7 on the season. This marks the first fall season win over the Golden Suns since November 20, 2015; when the Muleriders defeated Arkansas Tech in the GAC Tournament Semifinals 3-1.
 
Following a rewarding weekend in Montgomery, Alabama, where SAU added three victories to the win column, the Muleriders carried the momentum from the Warhawk Invitational to advance to 1-1 in conference play.
 
Starting her fourth match of the campaign, junior Kayte Delong led her squad in kills with nine on the night. Junior Isla Olivas and freshman Brinklee Dauenhauer recorded eight kills with juniors Jada Hudson and Landry Rogers putting down seven. Olivas tallied up a hitting percentage of .538 while Hudson registered one of .286. Macie Shaver (17 assists) and Morgan Schuster (17 assists) orchestrated the offense splitting the total assists.
 
Securing the frontline was junior Lauryn Moultrie with four total blocks (1 solo | 3 assisted). Schuster held down the backline by tallying 14 digs while Dauenhauer recorded 13 and Alessia Sonzini 12.
 
FIRST & SECOND SET
 
Set one belonged to the Muleriders from the get-go due to a couple runs off of Moultrie and Shaver's serves. Southern Arkansas' lead would jump out to as much as seven points that pushed a first set victory for Alli O'Banion's squad 25-20. In the second set, the Golden Suns gained some momentum back with a 13-8 lead, but was shortly-lived as Dauenhauer slammed a kill that was then followed by a 3-0 run off the freshman's serve. Following the rally, SAU would gain the advantage with a 5-0 run off of Shaver's serve at the 15-15 mark. The Muleriders would then cruise to another 25-20 set victory in the second.
 
THIRD SET
 
As soon as Southern Arkansas looked to have things well in control, ATU rallied back with a 7-0 run from the 11-10 mark. The Muleriders closed the gap down to a single-point at 19-20, but would be followed by a Golden Sun 5-1 finish for Arkansas Tech to win set three 20-25.
 
FOURTH SET
 
Set four embodied the W.T. Watson as it was pure chaos. Down 7-5, Arkansas Tech turned the tables on SAU with a 5-0 run. With the Golden Suns up 15-11, Rogers stepped up to serve following her own kill. The Salado, Texas native started a 4-0 run to get back within one and keep the Muleriders in the set. With Tech up 22-19, Moultrie knocked down her fourth kill of the match to start the 6-1 run that would end the set 25-23. The crowd erupted as Southern Arkansas earned their seventh victory of the season.
 
The Muleriders have a win percentage of .500 or higher in the first 14 matches for the first time since 2015. Coach O'Banion looks to keep her cohesive unit's momentum rolling as they head into Monticello, Arkansas to face off with the Cotton Blossoms Thursday night, September 21. For more information, check out www.MuleriderAthletics.com.