SEARCY, Ark. — Mulerider Volleyball (12-18 | 5-10 GAC) began its final regular-season week on the road for a match with the Harding Lady Bisons (22-4 | 13-2 GAC). Southern Arkansas made its second acquaintance with Harding, this time inside the Rhodes-Reaves Field House, and came up shy against the Lady Bisons in a four set outing.
Leading the Muleriders in scoring again was Brinklee Dauenhauer. A junior out of Springtown, Texas, Dauenhauer led Southern Arkansas with 12 kills and recorded 16 digs for the Texan's tenth double-double of the season.
Leading the game in digs was senior Sadie Kabisch with 32, which marked her fifth 30+ dig contest this campaign.
First Set (W, 25-20)
The Muleriders came out sharp, using a .343 hitting percentage to seize early momentum. Brinklee Dauenhauer and Allie Cooper combined for several key kills to build a cushion, while Courtnee Morgan and Addy Vollmer added a strong presence at the net. Nasiya Graham came off the bench to add energy and timely points as SAU closed on a 5–2 run to take the opener, 25–20.
Second Set (L, 25-22)
Southern Arkansas continued to battle in the second, trading points with the Lady Bisons through nine ties in the frame. Kendall Toliver and Dauenhauer kept the offense steady, and Sadie Kabisch anchored the defense with several key digs to keep long rallies alive. Despite leading 21–20 late, the Muleriders couldn't hold off a late Harding push as the hosts evened the match at one set apiece.
Third Set (L, 25-22)
The third set mirrored the second with back-and-forth action throughout. Cooper and Graham were effective on the attack, and Pinard and Schofield distributed the ball well to multiple hitters. SAU pulled within one point at 21–20, but Harding's offense found rhythm down the stretch to edge out another close set and take a 2–1 lead.
Fourth Set (L, 25-17)
Harding carried momentum into the fourth and jumped out early behind strong serving and net defense. Jessica Porten provided a spark for the Muleriders with four kills in limited action, while Toliver and Dauenhauer each added late kills to try to rally the offense. However, the Lady Bisons' efficiency (.364 in the set) proved too much as Harding closed out the match, 3–1.
Up Next:
Southern Arkansas returns home for senior night on Thursday (Nov. 13) at 6:00 PM, as the Muleriders will take on Arkansas-Monticello.
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