MAGNOLIA, Ark. — Mulerider Volleyball (6-12 | 1-4 GAC) comes off a non-conference road trip to Conway, Arkansas, where the group traveled to and faced Central Baptist College on Tuesday night, October 7. The Muleriders are set to be back in Great American Conference (GAC) action this weekend, as the Blue and Gold will take on their first Oklahoma members of the league with Southeastern Oklahoma State (6-10 | 1-4 GAC) and East Central (4-13 | 3-2 GAC) both venturing to the W.T. Watson Center this Thursday and Friday.
A Look at SAU
Before the trip to central Arkansas, the Muleriders gained a much needed in-conference victory over in-state rival Arkansas-Monticello last Thursday (3-0 | Oct. 2). Southern Arkansas looks to keep up its momentum after winning back-to-back matches on the road.
Allie Cooper has now moved into being tied for second on the team for total kills with 123, being tied with Claire Johnson. Still leading the Muleriders in kills is Brinklee Dauenhauer with 151.
Still leading the unit in assists this season is Hayden Pinard with 337 assists and an average of 5.27 assists per set. Even with minimal play the last two matches, the Muleriders are still being led by Sadie Kabisch for total digs with 349 and an average of 5.63 per set.
SAU vs. SE | Oct. 9 | 6:00 PM
32nd Meeting, SE lead 17-14
First Meeting: 9/11/1998 - 3-0 SE win (Magnolia, Ark.)
Last Meeting: 10/25/2024 - 3-0 SE win (Durant, Okla.)
Streak: W2 SE
Southeastern Oklahoma State enters the Natural State after dropping their last four matches to East Central (0-3), Southwestern Oklahoma State (0-3), Southern Nazarene (0-3), and Oklahoma Christian (1-3). Much like the Muleriders, the Savage Storm are in search for their second win in the Great American Conference this year, as SE has only defeated Northwestern Oklahoma State 3-0 on September 23.
The Savage Storm have four individuals with 100+ kills on the season with Gabby Jones leading the pack with her 166 kills and 3.25 per set. Out of members of the team with at least 200 attacks, Maci Morrison is the Storm's leader for attack percentage with a .325 hitting percentage while recording 103 kills off of 255 attacks and has seen just 20 attack errors.
SE has relied on nearly just one person for setting all season in Jasmin Dion. The freshman from Cedar Park, Texas vastly leads the Savage Storm for assists as she has recorded 398 assists and average 7.8 per set. She is also second on the team for service aces with 12, behind Laura Weatherford with 19.
Both Jones and Weatherford are the Savage Storm's top receptionist as both have recorded 162 digs this season. While they are tied for most digs this season, Weatherford has only played in 40 sets while Jones has seen 51 sets of action.
SAU vs. ECU | Oct. 10 | 4:00 PM
20th Meeting, SAU leads 10-9
First Meeting: 9/5/2008 - 3-1 SAU Win (Austin, Texas)
Last Meeting: 10/24/2024 - 3-1 ECU Win (Ada, Okla.)
Streak: W1 ECU
In the Tigers last four outings, the group has gone even, losing and winning two matches in that time. In that four-game span, ECU fell to SWOSU (0-3), defeated SE (3-0), defeated SNU (3-1), and dropped to Oklahoma Baptist (0-3). The group's third conference victory, much like Southeastern, came against NWOSU after defeating the Rangers 3-2 in Ada, Oklahoma on September 16.
East Central has three players with 100 or more kills so far with Jayla Buford leading that pack with 132 and averaging 2.32 per set. Many of the Tigers' points this year have come from their serves as the group has five members with 10+ service aces. The group ranks fourth in the GAC with 101 service aces and leading them is Kensington White with 19.
ECU has a few individuals in their squad with 100+ assists this season, with Emily Pena leading that group with 200 assists and averaging 5.26. Along with Pena is Emma Greenbrier with 171 (4.07 per set) and Briley Marion with 113 (2.51 per set).
For digs, the group has three with 100 or more recorded and are led by Valentina Tijerina with 212 and an average of 3.66 per set. Macey Goodwin and Buford have been efficient in the receptions aspect for the Tigers as Goodwin is responsible for 162 digs (2.75 per set) and Buford has recorded 150 digs (2.63 per set).
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