MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas Volleyball are back on the road this weekend as they are traveling to Jackson, Tennessee to participate in the Union University Volleyball Invitational hosted by Union University. The Muleriders are set to compete on Friday (Sep. 13) at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM, and Saturday (Sep. 14) at 1:00 PM as they are facing the trio of Edward Waters University, Union University (Tenn.), and Southwest Baptist.
The Muleriders claimed two wins after being given two losses at the Midwestern State Invitational last weekend as they picked up 3-1 victories over Western New Mexico and Adams State. SAU fell 0-3 against Drury and 1-3 to Midwestern State. Head Coach Alli Harrell's squad scored a total of 156 kills led by the seniors Kayte Delong with 36 kills (43.0 points), Carlin Whaley with 26 (32.5 points), and Isla Olivas with 25 kills (38.0 points). Olivas is currently leading the conference in blocks per set and total blocks as she recorded 1 solo and 18 assists.
On the defense, the Muleriders recorded a total of 199 digs with newcomer Sadie Kabisch leading the pack with 66 digs and 109 receptions (1.73 digs per set). Sophomore Brinklee Dauenhauer recorded the second-most digs for the Muleriders as she got 29 over 12 sets averaging 2.42 digs per set.
Senior Macie Shaver accounted for the most aces on the team as she put down 6 total aces over the four games last weekend.
Edward Waters | Sep. 13 at 9:00 AM | 2024: 0-3 (0-0 SIAC)
In 2023, the Tigers went 22-7 overall as well as 17-2 in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play and finished their season as runners-up in the SIAC conference tournament where they lost to Spring Hill 1-3 in the final.
EWU is currently 0-3 as they fell short in their three opening matches of the 2024 season against Virginia State (L, 0-3), Auburn Montgomery (L, 0-3), and Barry (L, 0-3). They've recorded a total of 59 kills, 94 digs and 15 aces over their first three games this season.
Senior Libero Jenieth Guzman returns as the Tiger with the most digs from last fall (393) and has 9 total digs so far into the 2024 season. Guzman also had the second-most assists during their 2023 season (70). EWU returns one of their better attackers from last fall, senior Outside Hitter Naomy Vergez. Vergez totaled 812 attacks with an average of 9.02 attacks per set and 300 kills during the 2023 season.
It will be the first ever meeting between the Muleriders and the EWU Tigers on Friday Sep. 13.
Union University (Tenn.) | Sep. 13 at 1:00 PM | 2024: 0-4 (0-0 GSC)
Last fall, the Lady Bulldogs finished their season 6-25 as well as 5-11 in Gulf South Conference games and concluded the season 9th in the GSC.
So far this season, the Lady Bulldogs have matched up against Limestone (L,2-3), #6 University of Missouri-St. Louis (L, 0-3), Carson-Newman (L, 1-3), and Great American Conference opponent Harding (L, 0-3).
Union Volleyball is returning five seniors to this year's roster including Gracie Tacker, Hope Harrington, Reese Owens, Jordan Moore, and Vanja Stefanovic. Moore was named to the 2024 GSC Preseason All-Conference Team and since joining the Lady Bulldogs last fall she has played in 94 sets and contributed 185 kills. The middle blocker was named to the All-GSC Second Team in 2023 after finishing seventh in the league with a hitting percentage of .299. Tacker concluded last season as the top setter for the team as she averaged 5.13 assists per set and totaled 554.
This will be the fifth time the Muleriders are competing against the Lady Bulldogs and the Muleriders are 4-0 overall since the teams first played each other in 2013.
Southwest Baptist | Sep. 14 at 1:00 PM | 2024: 2-2 (0-0 GLVC)
In 2023, the Bearcats recorded an overall record of 14-15 as well as 3-10 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference play. During the 2023 season they recorded a total of 1,364 kills, 201 service aces and 1,864 digs. The Bearcats were voted 11th in the 2024 GLVC Preseason Coaches Poll.
Southwest Baptist Volleyball have played four games so far into the 2024 season and are currently holding a 2-2 record. They claimed two wins against Western Colorado (3-2) and GAC opponent Arkansas Tech (3-1) and lost against Oklahoma Christian (0-3) and Pittsburg State (0-3).
Southwest Baptist are seeing many returners for this season including one of last year's best servers Janel Pido. Pido recorded a total of 28 aces throughout the 2023 season. Junior Ella Rademaker is returning as the player with the most kills last season as she recorded a total of 366 kills with 932 attacks. She averaged 3.5 kills per set and placed 6th in the conference in Kills Per Set.
The Muleriders and the Bearcats are 5-9 in overall played matches.
