WEATHERFORD, Okla. - Mulerider Volleyball has begun the transition into Oklahoma Great American Conference play after meeting the Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs on their own home court at the Pioneer Event Center on Thursday night. Southern Arkansas felt the difficulty of playing at the Bulldogs arena as the Muleriders acquired just one set win in a four-set match. (19-25, 20-25, 25-21, 12-25).
The Blue and Gold stuck with the SWOSU offensive efforts for the first three sets, even winning the third to give the Muleriders some momentum into trying to push for a fifth set. However, the Bulldogs put the game away in the fourth as they assumed control from the beginning and ended the match with a lopsided set win.
Leading the Muleriders in offensive statistics was senior Kayte Delong as the Overland Park, Kansas native accounted for 16 kills on her 44 attempts with 5 errors (.250). Delong's 16 kills also led the group in points with 16.0.
Isla Olivas was once again the team leader for blocks as the senior out of Fort Worth, Texas put back two solo blocks and a single block assist. Sadie Kabisch was all over the floor as the junior libero recorded 32 digs (team-most). Macie Shaver and Ava Tanner nearly split even on assists, but Shaver (19) ended up having just two more than the Brock, Texas native (17).
Southern Arkansas looks to get its "get back" tomorrow evening against the Rangers of Northwestern Oklahoma State at 4:00 PM in Alva, Oklahoma.
Next weekend will see the Muleriders back inside the W.T. Watson Center for the annual Pink Out Weekend, this year being against Southern Nazarene on Thursday (October 17 | 6:00 PM) and Oklahoma Baptist on Friday (October 18 | 4:00 PM).
