ALVA, Okla. - Mulerider Volleyball finished their weekend trip to Oklahoma by competing against the Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers at their Percefull Fieldhouse in Alva, Oklahoma. Despite a late push from the Muleriders the Rangers secured the victory in four sets (15-25, 17-25, 25-19, 23-25) and Southern Arkansas is now at 9-6 overall and 3-4 in the Great American Conference standings. 

The Muleriders had a difficult start, dropping the first two sets with scores of 15-25 and 17-25, but quickly showed their will to fight back as they claimed the third set 25-19. Despite the late push from Southern Arkansas, the Muleriders saw some struggles in the fourth set which made it difficult to keep the momentum from the previous set, and narrowly lost the final set 23-25. 

Southern Arkansas combined for 44 total kills, 71 digs, and 10 service aces, with Macie Shaver and McKenna Edwards contributing with three aces each. 

One of the top performers in this match up was Kayte Delong as she led the offensive attack with 11 kills on 35 attempts, as well as contributing with a team-high 13 points. Jada Hudson was another key player as she posted 10 kills with a solid .240 hitting percentage as well as adding 11 points to the team. Shaver was important in setting up plays recording a total of 22 assists, while also adding 4 kills of her own, maintaining a .667 hitting percentage. Sadie Kabisch was a standout on the defense with a game-high 27 digs, providing crucial support in the back. 

The Muleriders are heading back to Magnolia to get ready for the annual Pink Out Weekend against Southern Nazarene on Thursday (Oct. 17) and Oklahoma Baptist on Friday (Oct. 18).