MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Mulerider Volleyball is back in full swing for Great American Conference action, as Southern Arkansas is set to take on in-state rivals Arkansas Tech and Henderson State this Tuesday and Thursday. The Blue and Gold will face the Golden Suns inside the W.T. Watson Center on Tuesday night at 6:00 PM, and will travel to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, on Thursday for their 6:30 PM match with the Reddies.
 
Series Histories (Vs. ATU | Vs. HSU)
In the past two seasons, SAU has had similar records against the Golden Suns and the Reddies, as the Muleriders are 2-2 against both squads, splitting matches with the two teams over the past two regular seasons. Southern Arkansas held up strong at home against both groups, with the Blue and Gold defeating ATU 3-1 and HSU 3-0 inside the W.T. Watson Center last Fall. On the road was a different story, as the Muleriders fell in Russellville and Arkadelphia 0-3 last year. Against the Golden Suns, the Muleriders are 25-53. Against the Reddies, SAU is 32-47.
 
A Look at SAU (4-9 | 0-1 GAC)
The Muleriders look to flip the script this week after going 1-3 in their four matches last week, which included the group's conference opener against the defending GAC champions, the Ouachita Baptist Tigers. The unit then finished their weekend in Searcy, Arkansas, for the Harding Tournament, in which SAU defeated Crowley's Ridge College 3-2, and then fell to Arkansas-Fort Smith (3-1) and Trevecca Nazarene (3-0).
 
Just two Muleriders have accounted for 100 kills 13 matches into the season, with Brinklee Dauenhauer (111) and Claire Johnson (100) leading the way. Allie Cooper is currently the Blue and Gold's leader in attack percentage as the junior from Brownsboro, Texas, has recorded a .276 percentage.
 
A pair for SAU leads the group in assists, with Hayden Pinard and Jaci Moore orchestrating the offense. Pinard is the team's leader for assists, as the junior has tallied 242 and ranks eighth in the GAC. The freshman, Moore, is responsible for 184 assists.
 
Not only leading the Muleriders, not only leading the conference, but leading the nation in total digs this season is Sadie Kabisch. The Henrietta, Texas native is currently the nation's leader in digs with her 285 digs. Along those lines, she is also responsible for the fourth-highest digs per set average in the nation, ranking second in the GAC (5.94).
 
A Look at ATU (5-6 | 1-0 GAC)
The Golden Suns enter back into conference play after going 1-2 at the Betye Wallace Classic in Arkadelphia, where Arkansas Tech fell to Drury (3-1) and Quincy (3-0). Their lone victory in the outing came against MIAA member, Missouri Southern State.
 
Before heading to Arkadelphia on Friday, the Suns were just there on Tuesday (Sep. 16) for their league opener against Henderson State. Tech defeated HSU 3-0 while on the road.
 
Much like the Muleriders, ATU has two players with 100+ kills this season, with Henley Hooks (110) and Savannah Meyer (102). Of those with at least 100 attacks, the Golden Suns are led in attack percentage with a .349 percentage.
 
The group's top setter has been Aspen Jankowski with 159 assists, and she is closely followed by Emma Kiser with 135 assists. The group has a pair with 100+ digs on the squad, including Samantha Wojtowicz (163) and Millie Allgood (121).
 
A Look at HSU (7-6 | 0-1)
The Reddies are coming off of hosting the Bettye Wallace Invitational, in which the group finished 3-1, with their only loss coming against Quincy, 3-0. As mentioned previously, the Reddies are currently 0-1 in conference play after falling at home to Arkansas Tech 3-0. The group will face SAU on Thursday at 6:30 PM after taking on Harding on Tuesday at 6:00 PM in Searcy, Arkansas.
 
The team's leader in kills is also the nation's leader in kills. As of now, Katilyn Steffes leads the country in kills with 197, averaging 4.02 per game. She also leads the nation in attacks with 627. Of those with 100+ attacks, Steffes is recording the Reddies' highest attack percentage at .198.
 
The primary orchestrator of the offense was Tyhia Mack with 259 assists, as she averages 5.29 assists per set. The leader in digs for the Reddies is Kaylon Partain with 271, averaging 5.53 per set.
 
Broadcast Information
The game against Arkansas Tech will be broadcast live on HudlTV. Click here for the Southern Arkansas University team site to watch all the action.
 
To buy tickets for the game against Arkansas Tech, click here.
 
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