MAGNOLIA, Ark. — Mulerider Volleyball (1-4) has acquired win number one of the fresh campaign as the group opened up home play in a big way. Southern Arkansas started off home play inside of the W.T. Watson Center with a 3-0 triumph over in-state foe, Central Baptist College (1-7).
The Muleriders dominated early in the first set, as the group jumped out to an 8-3 lead due to a CBC attack error. Thanks to a kill by Nasiya Graham (assisted by Jaci Moore), the Muleriders expanded their advantage to 13-5. After a service error and CBC kill, the Mustangs cut their deficit to six, the Muleriders gained the eight-point lead again with a kill from Graham and Brinklee Dauenhauer (15-7). CBC then began to attack back against the Blue and Gold with a 5-0 run to cut the SAU lead to three. After back-and-forth points (16-13), Southern Arkansas gained back all of the momentum with an 8-0 run to bring the Blue and Gold to a set point (24-13) and after a pair of CBC points, the Muleriders secured set one with a Claire Johnson kill off of the assist from Hayden Pinard.
Set two saw Southern Arkansas start how they finished the first set, as the unit started the following set with a 14-0 run that included four service aces and just four kills. The Mustangs then responded with a couple of points, but Southern Arkansas would not take their foot off the gas, as the Muleriders capped off the set with a 10-5 run and winning the set 25-7.
Now looking to secure their first match win of the season, the Muleriders saw some pushback from the Mustangs as the group stayed right with the Blue and Gold and saw barely any separation until the groups passed the ten-point threshold. Southern Arkansas pulled away from the Mustangs as the group jumped out to as much as a 10-point lead (24-14). After a couple of more points scored by the Mustangs, Southern Arkansas capped off the triumph with an Allie Cooper kill, assisted by Kate Schofield.
Players of the Game
Jessica Porten - 6 kills, 10 attacks, 1 assist
Allie Cooper - 6 kills, 10 attacks
Hayden Pinard - 14 assists
Sadie Kabisch - 17 digs
Next Up:
The Muleriders now look forward to their trip to Kingsville, Texas, where they will compete in the Javelina Volleyball Classic from Thursday through Saturday (Sept. 11 - 13).
