MONTICELLO, Ark. - Mulerider Volleyball battled the Cotton Blossoms on the road inside the Steelman Fieldhouse on Tuesday evening (Nov. 12). After a back-and-forth battle the Muleriders secured the victory in five sets with a final score of 25-22, 25-21, 24-26, 22-25, and 15-4. 

Southern Arkansas recorded a hitting percentage of .183 as they tallied 60 kills on 210 attempts over the five sets. Seniors Landry Rogers and Isla Olivas contributed with most kills to the team with a total of 14 each. This is the second time this season Rogers collects 14 kills in a single game and it is the most single-game kills Olivas has earned in her career. This senior duo also contributed with the most points for the team as they scored 16.5 points each. Olivas recorded a .281 hitting percentage along with two service aces and four digs. 

Kayte Delong added 9 kills on a .161 hitting percentage, and a strong defensive performance with 4 digs and 3 total blocks. Ava Tanner led the team with 25 assists while Macie Shaver added 23 of her own to assist the offense. 

Southern Arkansas' defense was led by Sadie Kabisch with 35 digs as she anchored the backline and effectively responded to Arkansas-Monticello's attacks. Lauryn Moultrie made notable contributions at the net as she recorded 5 total blocks (2 solo), and 8 kills with an efficient .300 hitting percentage. 

The first set of the match turned out to be a battle all the way towards the end as both teams traded points throughout the set, with neither able to secure a definite lead. With important kills from Delong, Olivas, and Carlin Whaley the Muleriders managed to separate from the Cotton Blossoms and secured the first set 25-22. 

The second set began just like how the previous set turned out with both teams fighting for control, trading points early on. Southern Arkansas managed to pull ahead to an 8-4 lead after a series of kills from Moultrie, Rogers and Delong. The Cotton Blossoms fought back to once again turn the set into a battle between the two teams. Closer to the end the Muleriders pulled ahead thanks to a bad set by Arkansas-Monticello, followed by a timely kill from Olivas that pushed the score to 23-19. The Cotton Blossoms responded with another kill but a costly service error set up the set point for the Muleriders and after another kill by the Cotton Blossoms Jada Hudson sealed the set with a kill assisted by Macie Shaver, ending the intense set at 25-21. 

In the third set Arkansas-Monticello edged out Southern Arkansas in a nail-biter that showcased intense rallies and important momentum shifts, closing the set at 26-24. The Cotton Blossoms earned an early advantage with multiple kills but the Muleriders fought back to tie the set. Southern Arkansas had a 23-20 lead but the Cotton Blossoms battled back to secure the set 26-24. 

Arkansas-Monticello narrowly claimed the fourth set 25-22, forcing a fifth. Despite Southern Arkansas' strong rallies the Cotton Blossoms took advantage of late errors from the Muleriders as they claimed the set. 

The Muleriders came out strong in the final set and dominated their way to the victory. Southern Arkansas started strong and maintained control with powerful kills from Rogers, Delong, and Moultrie. The Cotton Blossoms struggled and could not regain momentum as the Muleriders continued its offensive pressure, winning the set 15-4. 

The Muleriders are back in action for their last time at home this season on Thursday (Nov. 14) as the Muleriders take on Harding for senior night at 6 PM.