MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Mulerider Women's Tennis team is set to make its return to the NCAA Central Region Championship for the first time since 2019. As the No. 4 seed, Southern Arkansas will travel to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to face fifth-seeded Northwest Missouri State in the opening round on Monday, May 12, at 11 a.m.

The winner of that matchup will advance to face the region's top seed and tournament host, Augustana, with a chance to move on to the NCAA Division II National Round of 16, held May 20–24 at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

Southern Arkansas punched their ticket to the NCAA tournament by capturing the 2025 Great American Conference Tournament title, defeating Southeastern Oklahoma 4-2 in the championship match. The Muleriders finished the regular season with an impressive 16-6 overall record and a perfect mark against GAC opponents.

This year's tournament appearance marks the team's first NCAA outing since 2019, when the Muleriders earned a 4-3 victory over Southwest Baptist before falling to Central Oklahoma in the second round.

SAU enters Monday's match ranked No. 34 nationally, led by standout Amelie Gindl, who holds the No. 4 national singles ranking, and Josie Holderbach, ranked No. 34. Their opponents, Northwest Missouri State, are ranked No. 43 as a team, with Marielena Muench ranked No. 33 and Alva Norberg at No. 59 in singles play.

In their previous meeting this season, Southern Arkansas defeated Northwest Missouri 5-2, claiming the doubles point and earning singles wins from Gindl, Holderbach, Ifigeneia Kafka, and Roksana Kokocha.

First serve is set for 11 a.m. on Monday, May 12.