MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Returning to Magnolia after a successful weekend going 3-0 at the Union University Volleyball Invitational, coach
Alli Harrell and her Muleriders are now preparing for conference play. Southern Arkansas takes on Great American Conference opponent Ouachita Baptist (6-1 | 0-0 GAC) on Tuesday (Sep. 17) at 6:00 PM in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
Southern Arkansas came out on top winning all three matches this weekend as they swept Edward Waters and Union (Tenn.), and took down the Bearcats of Southwest Baptist 3-1, moving on to a 5-2 overall record this season.
At the Union Invitational, SAU combined for a total of 135 kills and saw seniors
Carlin Whaley and
Kayte Delong lead the group with the most kills totaling 25 each over the three games as well as leading the team in scoring with 29 total points each over the weekend. Following this senior duo were
Landry Rogers and
Jada Hudson with a total of 24 kills each over the three games.
Senior
Macie Shaver recorded the majority of the team's assists with a total of 64 while senior
Ava Tanner added 51 assists of her own.
On the defense, senior
Isla Olivas held the frontline with 11 total blocks (2 solos | 9 assisted) while Whaley delivered 7 total blocks (1 solo | 6 assisted). The Muleriders recorded a total of 164 digs and like last weekend, newcomer
Sadie Kabisch led the pack with 57 digs.
Olivas accounted for the most service aces on the team as she recorded a total of six.
The Ouachita Baptist Tigers are currently holding a 6-1 overall record for the season as they have swept the majority of their games. The Tigers were also competing last weekend in Jackson, Tennessee at the Union University Volleyball Invitational. Just like the Muleriders, the Tigers went 3-0 over the weekend as they swept Catawba and Edward Waters, as well as taking down Union (Tenn.) 3-1. The Muleriders and the Tigers last saw each other on November 2, 2023, in Arkadelphia, where Ouachita walked away as the winning team after defeating the Muleriders 3-1.
Leading the team's offense for the Tigers is junior Riley Braziel with 75 kills, and sophomore Kailey Thedford with the second most kills with 69. Junior setter Courtney Hanson commands the offense as she has recorded 253 assists so far in the 2024 season and Hanson is also leading the team in service aces with a total of 12. Leading the team in digs is senior Avery Jauz with 83. Sophomore Lea Gardner is leading the defense at the net with 21.0 total blocks this fall.
The Muleriders are looking to keep the momentum from this last weekend as they are going into GAC play. The first serve against the Tigers is set for 6:00 PM at the Sturgis Physical Education Center in Arkadelphia, Arkansas on Tuesday (Sep. 17).
