MAGNOLIA, Ark. - The Muleriders return home to the W.T. Watson Athletic Center on Thursday (Nov. 7) to take on Arkansas Tech in the second matchup between the Muleriders and the Golden Suns. The two teams played each other in Russellville, Arkansas at the end of September where the Golden Suns claimed the victory in three sets.
Going into the matchup against Arkansas Tech, the Muleriders are 10-11 overall this season and 4-9 in conference action. They are 4-2 on their home court, 2-8 away, and 4-1 on neutral locations. Southern Arkansas finds themselves ranked third in the Great American Conference for blocks per set with 2.04 and attacks per set with 38.83 (20th nationally).
Sadie Kabisch is still going strong on defense as she is averaging 6.46 digs per set which ranks her as first in the conference and second in the country for her digs per set. Kabisch has recorded 446 total digs which puts her sixth in the conference and 28th nationally.
Senior Isla Olivas is ranked second in the conference for her blocks per set of 1.01. Olivas is having a great season up at the net as she has recorded a total of 73 blocks which is the most blocks the Forth Worth, Texas native has recorded during a single season as a Mulerider.
Arkansas Tech is 13-14 overall with a 5-8 record in conference play. The last time the two teams played each other, the Golden Suns claimed a three-set victory of 27-25, 25-16, and 25-18.
Offensively, the Golden Suns are averaging 12.56 kills per set and 35.28 attacks per set. Arkansas Tech has three players who have recorded over 200 kills including Savannah Meyer that are leading the group with 349 kills this season. Jordan Clouse has the best hitting percentage of the Golden Suns with .345 on her 293 total attacks. On the defense, Jamie Myrick is leading the team with 466 digs this season while Sierra Orton is the team leader in blocks with 76.
The Golden Suns are ranked first in the conference in total service aces with 39, averaging 1.76 aces per set. They are fourth in the conference and nineteenth nationally with a total of 1,231 kills this season. Meyer is ranked third in the conference with her 3.67 kills per set and Myrick is ranked fourth with her total of 466 digs.
The Muleriders are looking to make use of the home-court advantage on Thursday evening as the first serve is set for 6:00 P.M. against the Golden Suns.
