MAGNOLIA, Ark. — Mulerider Volleyball (8-12 | 3-4 GAC) capped off the first weekend of Oklahoma action in the Great American Conference (GAC) with a victory for the group's fourth-consecutive triumph after defeating the East Central Tigers (5-14 | 4-3 GAC). Southern Arkansas now preps for the upcoming week full of road battles. 

Once more leading the Muleriders in attacks and kills was junior Brinklee Dauenhauer with 16 kills and 42 attacks for a .214 attack percentage. Not far behind her was freshman Addy Vollmer who accounted for her first 10+ kill outing in her career with 12 kills on her 36 attacks for a .222 attacks percentage. With at least 10 attack attempts, SAU was led by Courtnee Morgan with her 8 kills on 17 attempts for a .353 attack percentage. Three members recorded 20 or more digs in the outing with Dauenhauer (23), Kendall Toliver (21), and Sadie Kabisch (20). 

First Set (W, 25-19)

Southern Arkansas got the jump on the Tigers early, as the group obtained a 10-6 lead. ECU jumped right back at the Muleriders as they went on to tie and then take the lead for a 14-12 advantage for the Tigers. Just after that, the Blue and Gold snatched the lead right back with a 5-0 stretch and going on to win the set and never once letting up the lead for a 25-19 set one win. 

Second Set (W, 25-21)

After beginning the following set down 5-2, SAU turned it back around with a 5-1 run to claim the lead at 7-6. After a couple of points by the Tigers, Southern Arkansas got right back at them with three points and a 10-8 lead. Another 5-0 run for SAU blew the doors wide open for the Muleriders to earn the second set victory at 25-21. 

Third Set (L, 23-25)

The Muleriders sought their second conference sweep this season, with the group gaining a quick 9-4 advantage. The Tigers did not back down from the challenge ahead of them however, as ECU gained back up to the Muleriders with a 4-0 run to bring the, back within one (9-8). For the remainder of the set, Southern Arkansas looked as if they had the set and match won after not surrendering the lead East Central up until the 22-21 mark. ECU added on to its lead for a 23-21 advantage. SAU gained momentum back after going down with a pair of points to tie the set at 23-23. However, ECU went on to win the set with a pair of SAU attack errors for a 25-23 final, and forcing a fourth set. 

Fourth Set (W, 25-10)

Hoping to avoid back-to-back days with five set, the Muleriders came out firing on all cylinders, so much so, that the group blazed through the fourth set and stunned the Tigers with a 25-10 set final. 

Up Next: 

The Muleriders take to the road all of next weekend, as Southern Arkansas will travel to central Oklahoma to face Oklahoma Baptist next Thursday (Oct. 16) and then to Southern Nazarene on next Friday (Oct. 17). 

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