ADA, Okla. — Mulerider Volleyball wrapped up its two-match Oklahoma road swing on Friday afternoon, as Southern Arkansas took on the East Central Tigers inside the Kerr Activities Center. The Blue and Gold battled throughout the match, but ultimately fell to the Tigers in three sets, 3-0.
Southern Arkansas saw a pair of Muleriders lead the offense with seven kills apiece, as Allie Cooper and Charley Walker each accounted for seven kills. Cooper was particularly efficient offensively, as the senior recorded her seven kills on just 11 attacks for a team-best .545 hitting percentage.
Brinklee Dauenhauer added six kills for the Blue and Gold, while Kate Schofield directed the Mulerider offense with 21 assists. Defensively, Kendall Toliver led SAU with 10 digs, while Dauenhauer and Schofield each added six or more digs.
Set One (L, 25-11)
East Central controlled the opening set from the start, as the Tigers jumped out to an early 5-1 advantage. Southern Arkansas responded with a pair of kills from Cooper to help trim the deficit, but East Central continued to build its lead. The Muleriders managed to pull within five at 10-5, but the Tigers answered with a 9-1 stretch to take a 19-6 advantage. SAU battled to the end, but East Central closed the opening frame with a 25-11 victory.
Set Two (L, 25-23)
The Blue and Gold responded with their strongest set of the afternoon in the second. After East Central opened with an early advantage, Southern Arkansas remained within striking distance throughout the frame. The Muleriders used a balanced attack to keep pace with the Tigers, as SAU recorded 14 kills in the set while hitting .188 as a team. East Central eventually moved in front late, but Southern Arkansas continued to battle and cut the deficit to just two points at 24-22. The Tigers then secured the final point to take the second set, 25-23.
Set Three (L, 25-10)
Looking to extend the match, Southern Arkansas faced another early deficit in the third set. East Central established a 7-3 advantage before the Muleriders responded with points from Cooper and Walker. The Tigers, however, continued to create separation and eventually moved ahead 15-7. SAU continued to fight through the closing stretch, but East Central scored 10 of the final 13 points to close out the set, 25-10, and the match, 3-0.
Up Next:
Southern Arkansas returns home for its next contest, as the Muleriders will welcome Texas A&M-Texarkana to the W.T. Watson Center on Tuesday, October 6. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 PM
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