KINGSVILLE, Texas — Mulerider Volleyball (2-6) wrapped up day two at the Javelina Volleyball Classic going 1-1 and claiming their second triumph of the early season. For day two, Southern Arkansas took on the University of Bridgeport Purple Knights at 10:00 AM and followed the matchup with a bout with the Saint Martin's University Saints at 4:30 PM.
Vs. Bridgeport (W, 3-0)
Southern Arkansas' day started off about as good as it could have with a mid-morning sweeping against the University of Bridgeport Purple Knights. The Blue and Gold handled their business defeating UB 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-15).
The Purple Knights struck first against the Muleriders in set one as they claimed their first point on an attack error from SAU. Very soon after, Brinklee Dauenhauer and Jessica Porten gained the lead for Southern Arkansas after both accounting for a kill. The set stayed even with the Purple Knights gaining a lead as high as three points (14-11). With a 5-0 run, the Muleriders reclaimed the lead (16-14) and would never let go of that lead with Courtnee Morgan capping off the set one victory with a kill.
Bridgeport started off the following set with the lead with a kill for the point, but the Muleriders' Dauenhauer tied the set back up at 1-1 and from the on, the Muleriders were riding high as the group gained and held an advantage without letting up. In the set, Southern Arkansas tallied three shutout stretches, scoring four or more points unanswered with the group finishing the set with a 6-0 run. Claire Johnson finished off the second set with a service ace.
Unlike set two, in the third set SAU never once trailed as Hayden Pinard gained the early lead and and was supported by the Blue and Gold with the group accounting for a 6-0 run to go up 7-1 quickly. While the Purple Knights began closing down on the deficit, Southern Arkansas swiftly recovered its momentum as the Muleriders ripped off another 6-0 run for a 21-9 lead. Bridgeport did not back down from the challenge ahead of them, but the Blue and Gold were able to close out their first match of the day due to a UB service error.
Players of the Game:
Brinklee Dauenhauer: 13 kills, 26 attacks, .462 attack percentage, 10 digs, 1 block assist, 1 service ace, 14.5 points
Claire Johnson: 9 kills, 19 attacks, .368 attack percentage, 1 block assist, 1 service ace, 10.5 points
Hayden Pinard: 23 assists, 7 digs
Jaci Moore: 17 assists
Sadie Kabisch: 22 digs
Vs. Saint Martin's (L, 3-0)
The Muleriders started off their second match of the day exactly how they would want as the group jumped out to a 2-0 lead quick with a kill from Dauenhauer and a SMU attack error. The Saints then replied accordingly with a pair of kills of their own. For the vast majority of the set, the Blue and Gold seemed to have control with the group gaining a four-point lead, up 14-10. From then on, the Saints began to turn the set around by scoring two points for every one that SAU would record. SMU tied the outing at 21-21 and took their first lead of the set at 22-21. The group went on to claim the first set with a final of 25-23.
The following set saw a very similar outcome as the two groups went blow-for-blow for the vast majority of the set until the very end with the Saints gaining a four-point lead to claim the second set at 25-21.
Saint Martin's began the third set exactly how the unit finished the second as the group gained a seven-point lead, 10-3, and never looked back. The Saints went on to win the set 25-13 and the match 3-0.
Next Up:
The Muleriders look to finish off the Javelina Volleyball Classic right with one final outing for the weekend against Lake Erie College at 8:00 AM tomorrow before prepping for Great American Conference play against the reigning conference champions, Ouachita Baptist, in Magnolia, Arkansas this coming Tuesday (Sep. 16) at 6:00 PM.
