PITTSBURG, Kan. — Mulerider Volleyball concluded their first weekend of competition for the 2025 campaign as they are set to return to Magnolia with the completion of the Gorilla Classic hosted by Pittsburg State. In the second and final day of the classic, Southern Arkansas fell in their two outings for the day against Lubbock Christian and host Pittsburg State.
Vs. Lubbock Christian (L, 3-0)
With what looked to be a tightly contested first set, after an early 4-3 lead for the Muleriders, the Chaps went to handle the remainder of the set after recording an 11-1 run and increasing their lead to 14-5. Lubbock Christian did not let up and would go on to win the set 25-16.
The second set saw a much tighter finish as the Muleriders attempted to pull off a comeback and LCU after the group had accounted for an eight-point lead (21-13). Southern Arkansas would go on a stretch of 7-2, but it would not be enough for the Blue and Gold to get back within reach as the Chaps capped off the second set with a rewarding service error.
Lubbock Christian wasted no time in the third set as the group started the outing started with a 5-1 Chaps lead. Southern Arkansas was able to close down the deficit to a two-point margin, but LCU was able to separate once more and jumped out to as much as a seven-point advantage. Lubbock Christian would go on to finalize the match with a 25-20 set three win.
Vs. Pitt State (L, 3-1)
Southern Arkansas looked for a much needed bounce back as they began their 2:00 PM match with the invitational host, Pitt State. The Muleriders started out the second match of the day how they would like as the group took set one from the Gorillas with an exciting 25-22 finish after an early 6-2 deficit. To win the set, the Muleriders rattled off a 4-0 run with just one error to assist the scoring.
The Gorillas responded accordingly as they claimed the second set convincingly after pulling away from the Muleriders late to go on to win set two 25-19.
Pitt State kept up that momentum from late in the second set, as the group went on to handle their business with a 25-13 set three victory.
PSU was in full control going into the fourth set as the Gorillas did not lose a step from the previous two sets. Pitt State went on to close the match and the Gorilla Classic with a 25-17 set four win against Southern Arkansas to claim the match.
Next Up:
The Muleriders are set for home play early on the season as the group will take on in-state foe Central Baptist College from Conway, Arkansas for a 6:00 PM first serve inside the W.T. Watson Center on Tuesday (Sept. 9).
Within the same week/weekend, the group will travel to the Lone Star State for the Javelina Volleyball Classic in Kingsville, Texas hosted by Texas A&M-Kingsville. At the invitational, the Muleriders are set to face TAMU-Kingsville (Sept. 11 | 6:30 PM), Bridgeport (Sept. 12 | 10:00 AM), Saint Martin's (Sept. 12 | 4:30 PM), and Lake Erie College (Sept. 13 | 8:00 AM).
