MAGNOLIA, Ark. — Mulerider Volleyball (10-14 | 4-6 GAC) has begun its annual Pink Out Weekend after facing Northwestern Oklahoma State (3-18 | 1-9 GAC) in front of an electric and pinkified W.T. Watson Center. The Blue and Gold went on to sweep the Rangers and for the third season in a row, Southern Arkansas entered double-digits in the win column with the group's tenth victory this season.
Three Muleriders accounted for 10 or more kills in the outing, with Courtnee Morgan leading the charge with 11 kills on just 19 attacks and no errors. The sophomore from Lufkin, Texas also led the match for attack percentage with a .579 hitting percentage. The other two SAU members both recorded ten kills for the evening, as Allie Cooper and Kendall Toliver both accomplished the feat.
Leading the way for the Muleriders with blocks at the net was also Morgan, with the Lone Star native tallying a solo block and two assisted blocks. At the top of the list for digs by SAU was Sadie Kabisch with 16, as she was also assisted by Toliver with 13 digs and Hayden Pinard with 10 assists, both accounting for double-doubles. Pinard's double-double came by way of digs and her 20 assists. Also recording 20 assists was Kate Schofield.
First Set (W, 26-24)
Southern Arkansas came out of the gates swinging after ripping off a 4-0 lead to start with kills by Brinklee Dauenhauer, Addy Vollmer, and Cooper, while also having a service ace by Toliver. The Rangers got themselves back into the set with a 5-0 stretch after being down 8-2, bringing the set to 8-7. SAU went on to stretch the lead back out to six after going up 16-10. The group even went on to expand its lead to a 22-15 advantage. After going on a 9-2 stretch, NWOSU got themselves right back into the outing, as the group tied the match at 24-24. However, a pair of kills by Dauenhauer solidified the Muleriders' first set win, 26-24.
Second Set (W, 25-10)
After a sort of back and forth start tot he second set, the Muleriders blew the set open with a 9-1 stretch to improve its 11-6 lead to a 20-6 advantage. Even with the Rangers' recording a 3-0 run, the group still came up short after the Muleriders accounted for a 4-1 stretch to win set two, 25-10.
Third Set (W, 26-24)
The Blue and Gold once again started off hot early on in the set, as the group jumped out to an 11-6 lead. NWOSU caught back up though, as the squad recorded four of the next five points to bring the outing within one, SAU led 12-11. From then on, the groups were neck and neck, and even saw the Rangers gain their first lead of the evening at 16-15. After a couple of back-and-forth points, NWOSU gained a two-point advantage, up 18-16. The group could not sit comfortably though as the Muleriders jumped back in front with a 4-0 stretch, SAU up 20-18. The two stayed right with each other for the remainder of the outing, but Southern Arkansas outlasted the Rangers and went on to defeat Northwestern Oklahoma State in sweeping fashion.
Up Next:
The Muleriders continue Pink Out Weekend tomorrow evening, as the group will face the Bulldogs of Southwestern Oklahoma State for a 4:00 PM first serve back inside the W.T. Watson Center.
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