MAGNOLIA, Ark. — Southern Arkansas Volleyball battled throughout four competitive sets on Tuesday night, but the Muleriders came up short against Arkansas Tech in a 3-1 Great American Conference decision inside the W.T. Watson Athletic Center. The Blue and Gold fell in the opening set in extra points before claiming the second frame to even the match. However, the Golden Suns took the final two sets to secure the road victory by scores of 26-24, 21-25, 25-18 and 25-23.
Leading the way offensively for Southern Arkansas was senior Brinklee Dauenhauer, who recorded a team-high 14 kills while adding 18 digs for her 11th double-double of the season. Addy Vollmer and Peighton Killeen each contributed nine kills, while Jessica Porten added seven. The Muleriders finished with 58 kills and 49 assists, with Hayden Pinard directing the offense with 43 assists.
Defensively, Kendall Toliver paced the Muleriders with 22 digs, followed by Dauenhauer's 18 and Pinard's 11. At the net, Allie Cooper recorded three total blocks, while Courtnee Morgan added two. Southern Arkansas finished with 81 digs and seven total blocks, but Arkansas Tech held the advantage in kills (60-58), service aces (7-3) and blocks (11-7).
Set One (L, 26-24)
The opening set featured a back-and-forth battle from the outset, with Southern Arkansas earning the first two points behind a Killeen kill and an Arkansas Tech attack error. The Golden Suns responded, and neither side was able to establish a lasting advantage through the middle portion of the frame. Killeen and Dauenhauer helped keep the Muleriders in contention, while a block by Cooper forced an Arkansas Tech attack error to give SAU a 6-5 edge. The teams continued trading points, and the Muleriders used kills from Vollmer, Charley Walker and Porten to remain within striking distance. With the score tied at 24-24, Arkansas Tech recorded a block and followed with a kill to close out the set, 26-24.
Set Two (W, 25-21)
Southern Arkansas responded in the second set, finding its rhythm offensively and taking advantage of Arkansas Tech's errors. After the teams exchanged points early, the Muleriders began to build separation with contributions from Killeen, Vollmer and Cooper. SAU's attack proved more efficient in the frame, producing 13 kills against just five errors while hitting .229. The Blue and Gold continued to maintain their advantage through the closing stretch, with Pinard adding a service ace and the Mulerider offense finding timely points to prevent a late Golden Suns push. Southern Arkansas closed out the 25-21 win to even the match at one set apiece.
Set Three (L, 25-18)
Arkansas Tech responded after the break, using a more efficient offensive performance to regain control of the match. The Golden Suns built an early lead and continued to apply pressure, forcing Southern Arkansas to play from behind for much of the frame. Dauenhauer and Killeen helped the Muleriders remain in the fight, but Arkansas Tech's attack proved difficult to contain, as the visitors recorded 17 kills while hitting .325. Southern Arkansas finished with 11 kills and a .122 hitting percentage in the set. Despite late contributions from the Blue and Gold, the Golden Suns maintained their advantage to take the frame, 25-18, and move within one set of the match victory.
Set Four (L, 25-23)
Facing a must-win fourth set, Southern Arkansas put together a determined effort to extend the match. The Muleriders produced 17 kills in the frame, with Dauenhauer, Vollmer and Killeen providing key offensive contributions. SAU stayed close throughout the set, continuing to answer Arkansas Tech's scoring efforts and keeping the margin within reach late. The Muleriders finished the frame with a .204 hitting percentage, but the Golden Suns managed to make the necessary plays down the stretch. Arkansas Tech held off Southern Arkansas's push to take the set, 25-23, and close out the match in four sets.
Up Next:
Southern Arkansas returns to Great American Conference action on Thursday, October 29, as the Muleriders travel to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to face Henderson State. First serve is scheduled for 6:30 PM
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