JACKSON, Tenn. - Southern Arkansas Volleyball wrapped up its second weekend of action in the 2024 season at the Union University Volleyball Invitational in Jackson, Tennessee. The Muleriders went 3-0 over the weekend against Edward Waters, Union (Tenn.), and Southwest Baptist and the team delivered a total of 135 kills and 21 service aces. The efforts by the Muleriders this weekend has given them a 5-2 overall record for the season so far.
Southern Arkansas 3, Edward Waters 0
In the first-ever meeting between Southern Arkansas and Edward Waters, the Muleriders took care of business in three straight sets with a total of 38 kills on 84 attacks and hit .345 across the three sets. Senior Carlin Whaley was the standout of the match leading the team with 9 kills and a .538 hitting percentage, while Kayte Delong and Landry Rogers added 7 and 5 kills respectively. Defensively, the team recorded 39 digs and 6 blocks, with contributions from multiple players that ensured a balanced and dominant performance throughout the match.
Edward Waters started strong with a quick 2-0 lead but Southern Arkansas quickly responded with a dominant offensive performance of a .440 hitting percentage. Senior Isla Olivas got the Muleriders on the board with one kill followed by a service ace from Macie Shaver and another kill from Olivas to tie it 2-2. From there on Southern Arkansas stepped on the gas with defensive blocks by Olivas and aces from Brinklee Dauenhauer, extending their lead to 16-5. Whaley led the attack with a perfect 4 kills on 4 attempts, while Jada Hudson added 3 kills hitting .600. Shaver recorded 8 assists as the Muleriders comfortably won the set 25-9.
The second set was more competitive and the Muleriders saw Edward Waters keeping pace early. Whaley and Rogers delivered consistent attacks with Whaley adding 3 kills without errors maintaining her perfect hitting percentage. Rogers contributed another 2 kills while Olivas contributed 2 block assists. Defensively the Muleriders were sharp, showing off 11 digs and 6 block assists led by Sadie Kabisch, who posted 3 digs. Despite some errors from both sides Southern Arkansas' steady play allowed them to pull ahead. The Muleriders ultimately claimed the set 25-14 after taking advantage of Edward Waters' errors.
The third and final set proved to be a tight contest as the Tigers fought back, keeping the score close throughout. Southern Arkansas continued to show their depth tallying 15 kills on 36 attempts with a .278 hitting percentage. Defensively the team produced 15 digs and 2 solo blocks. The set saw extended rallies but Southern Arkansas sealed the victory at 27-25 after another kill by Hudson.
Southern Arkansas 3, Union (Tenn.) 0
Southern Arkansas dominated in the first set posting a score of 25-15 against the Lady Bulldogs. Key contributions came from Hudson, who delivered 4 kills. Lauryn Moultrie recorded 2 kills on 3 attempts while Shaver provided 7 total assists. Southern Arkansas' strong hitting performance of .429 and their solid defense with 13 digs led them to take the lead in the set and secure the win.
In the second set, the Muleriders improved their hitting percentage to a .480 with Rogers leading the team with 3 kills on 4 attempts posting a .750, and Delong with 3 kills on 5 attempts hitting .600. Whaley opened the set with a kill and Dauenhauer added a service ace for an early 4-1 lead. Olivas delivered 2 kills on 2 attempts for a perfect 1.000. Shaver recorded 5 assists and the team served aggressively with 3 aces. Kabisch posted 5 digs as the Muleriders extended their lead to 12-5 and despite the late push from the Lady Bulldogs, they closed the set with a final kill from Rogers.
In the final set Southern Arkansas secured the match with a .325 hitting percentage, tallying 15 kills on 40 attempts. Moultrie was a key factor leading the team with 4 kills on 7 attempts hitting a .571, while Delong and Rogers each added 3 kills. Delong both opened up the match with a kill and clinched the match with a kill to claim the third and final set for the Muleriders 25-17. Like the other two sets the defense remained strong with Southern Arkansas recording 20 digs and Shaver remaining steady distributing 9 assists to keep the offense flowing.
Southern Arkansas 3, Southwest Baptist 1
The Muleriders secured a hard-fought 4-set victory against the Bearcats winning the match with a balanced offensive and defensive effort across the sets. Southern Arkansas tallied 56 kills on 162 attacks, achieving a .241 hitting percentage.
After a tight start, Southern Arkansas tied the score at 4-4 with kills from Rogers and Whaley and the Muleriders began to build up the momentum. Olivas contributed with crucial blocks, and Hudson and Delong added kills which helped the team to push ahead. The Bearcats made a late push but the Muleriders sealed the set at 25-22. The Muleriders totaled 13 kills and 13 assists.
The Muleriders cruised through set number two with a strong 25-13 set victory. After an early service ace by the Bearcats Delong quickly responded with a kill to tie the score. Shaver orchestrated the offense, setting up consecutive kills from Whaley and Rogers to give the team an early advantage. Hudson played a pivotal role with 4 kills on 9 attempts, hitting a .444. Rogers contributed 3 kills, while Shaver recorded 4 assists, and 17 team digs. The set was capped off by a service ace from Olivas, closing the set at 25-13 and keeping the momentum in SAU's favor.
Southern Arkansas fell short in the third set losing it 25-20 after a hard-fought battle. The team struggled as the set progressed but key contributions from Hudson and Rogers kept the Muleriders competitive. Despite a late rally from Southern Arkansas, highlighted by a service ace from Dauenhauer the Bearcats closed out the set. The Muleriders recorded 13 kills and a hitting percentage of .250, with Hudson leading with 3 kills.
The Muleriders clinched a thrilling 25-23 victory to claim the match against the Bearcats. Delong and Rogers led the offense and Shaver provided key assists. Despite strong defensive plays from Southwest Baptist Whaley closed out the game with a final kill assisted by Shaver. In the fourth set, SAU recorded 16 kills, Delong leading with 5, while Rogers and Whaley added 4 and 3 respectively. The defense contributed 32 digs and 2 block assists.
Coach Harrell and the Muleriders are back in action on Tuesday 6:00 PM next week (Sep. 17) against Ouachita for their first Great American Conference game this season.
