ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — The last time this happened, Head Coach Alli Harrell went by Alli O'Banion and was a sophomore from Dos Palos, California playing for Mulerider Volleyball back in 2015. The event that took place then was the last time Mulerider Volleyball defeated the Henderson State Reddies whilst in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, when O'Banion tallied seven kills and four total blocks in a sweeping of Henderson State. Southern Arkansas' first triumph while at Henderson State came after the Muleriders overcame the Reddies three sets to one.
The Blue and Gold ended up outdoing the Reddies in total kills in the bout, with SAU's 59 compared to HSU's 46. Despite being down 13 in kills, Henderson State still had the advantage in total errors, as the Reddies accounted for 23 compared to Southern Arkansas' 32.
The Muleriders led in nearly every offensive category of the contest, as Brinklee Dauenhauer led the game in kills with 17. Along with her, freshman Peighton Killeen also outscored the Reddies with her 12 kills, while senior Allie Cooper tied HSU's leader with 10 kills.
Roseburg, Oregon native Hayden Pinard outdid everyone else in the match in assists, with the senior recording 36 assists in the bout.
Leading Southern Arkansas in total digs was Kendall Toliver, with the native of Wichita Falls, Texas marking up 26 digs in the contest.
At the net, Courtnee Morgan had a solid outing with four total blocks, tallying two solos and two assists.
Set One (W, 25-22)
The opening set a momentum swings galore, with the two groups punching in points back-and-forth, up until Southern Arkansas ran a stretch of 9-2 to go up 15-8. Immediately following that run, Henderson State countered with an 8-0 stretch to reclaim the lead at 16-15. SAU took the advantage back with kills from Cooper and Dauenhauer, now at 17-16. After another stretch by the Reddies of four straight points, the Muleriders clapped right back with a 4-0 stretch to keep that lead at 21-20. After that, the best the Reddies could do was tie the set at 22-22, but after an HSU error, a Dauenhauer service ace, and a Maddie McSpadden kill, Southern Arkansas claimed set one in Arkadelphia at 25-22.
Set Two (L, 25-20)
Southern Arkansas started back up right where they left off, with the Muleriders going up 7-2 in flash after some assistance from Henderson State's five attack errors. The Blue and Gold tried to keep their lead rolling, but HSU had other plans, tying the set and eventually gaining some steamrolling momentum to take set two at 25-20.
Set Three (W, 25-23)
The third set has now become a massive turning point for either team, and gaining an early multi-point lead were the Muleriders, at 6-3. Henderson State quickly bounced back with a four points straight, taking the advantage at 7-6. The Blue and Gold then ripped a 3-0 stretch, but got followed up with a 4-0 run by HSU, 13-11. The Reddies' stretch did not waver the Muleriders though, with the crew cashing in a 4-0 stretch of their own to obtain the advantage. Since then, there were three more lead changes, until the Muleriders regained and ran with the lead with a 3-0 stretch to close the set at 25-23.
Set Four (W, 25-22)
The Reddies then had their backs against the wall, down two sets to one, but the group was not counting themselves out. Henderson State started the fourth up 3-0 and eventually had a four-point lead at 13-9. The Muleriders then had to chip away at that HSU lead, and did so, with a 7-3 stretch to tie the contest at 16-16. After kills from each squad, 17-17, Henderson State followed with three-straight points to go up 20-17, but a 6-0 run by the Muleriders basically sealed the deal, going up 23-20 and then winning the match with a 25-22 final score.
Up Next
Next on the schedule for the Muleriders will be Senior Night inside the W.T. Watson Center, with Southern Arkansas taking on the Harding Lady Bisons on Tuesday, November 3 at 6:00 PM.
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