MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Mulerider Volleyball is back in action, as the Blue and Gold are set to begin their Sooner State stretch in Durant and Ada, Oklahoma. Southern Arkansas University will begin its Great American Conference matches against schools from Oklahoma this Thursday, as SAU will take on the Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm at 6:00 PM. The next day, the Muleriders will head to Ada and face the East Central Tigers at 4:00 PM.
 
A Glance at Southern Arkansas
Southern Arkansas comes off its first GAC win of the season, defeating the Arkansas-Monticello Cotton Blossoms 3-0 while at home.
 
The Muleriders are led again in kills by freshman Peighton Killeen, as the Flagstaff, Arizona native leads the unit with 147 kills. She is second on the team in total points, as Brinklee Dauenhauer sits atop that list with 172.0 total points.
 
The assists leader for Southern Arkansas continues to be Hayden Pinard, with the senior from Roseburg, Oregon accounting for 414 assists and still ranking eighth in the league for total assists and assists per set (7.14).
 
In total digs, the Blue and Gold are led with 293 digs from Kendall Toliver, with the senior accounting for the fourth most digs in the league and the 19^th most in Division II.
 
SAU at SEOSU | Oct. 1 | 6:00 PM
33^rd Meeting, SEOSU leads 15-17
First Meeting: 9/11/1998 - 3-0 SEOSU win (Magnolia, Ark.)
Last Meeting: 10/9/2025 - 3-2 SAU win (Magnolia, Ark.)
Streak: W1 SAU
 
The Savage Storm has been on a back-and-forth trajectory in league play, as the unit has won, lost, won, and lost their last four matches. Most recently, Southeastern Oklahoma defeated the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm at home, winning the match in five sets.
 
Three members of the Savage Storm have crossed over into the 100+ kill club this season, as Gabby Jones leads the group in the statistic with 194 kills (5^th GAC | 36^th DII) She is also the team's leader in total points with 215.5.
 
SEOSU's offense has been orchestrated by one primary setter this campaign, with Jasmin Dion leading the charge with 552 assists (5^th GAC | 23^rd DII).
 
Being on the majority of the receiving ends of opponents' attacks this season, Patience Lewis leads the way for SEOSU with 280 digs (5^th GAC | 29^th DII)
 
The Savage Storm has done fairly well this season at the net, a the unit has three individuals with 20.0+ blocks and is led by Nykeriah Allen's 50.0 blocks (17 solo | 33 assists).
 
SAU at ECU | Oct. 2 | 4:00 PM
21^st Meeting, SAU leads 11-9
First Meeting: 9/5/2008 - 3-1 SAU win (Austin, Texas)
Last Meeting: 10/10/2025 - 3-1 SAU win (Magnolia, Ark.)
Streak: W1 SAU
 
After defeating Southeastern Oklahoma State on September 15, the Tigers went on a three-game stretch of losses, falling to SWOSU, SNU, and OBU. ECU finally ended that streak, but not in conference, as the group swept the Northeastern State Riverhawks.
 
The Tigers have three players with at least 100 kills this season, with the group being led by Addison Iman's 183 kills. She is also the team's leader in total points with 197.5. She leads the group in points primarily due to her 25.0 total blocks.
 
While having two individuals with 100+ assists, East Central is vastly led by Emily Pena's 420 assists this season. Pena also leads the team in service aces, having recorded 24 up to this point (4^th GAC).
 
Four Tigers are in triple figures for digs, with Bryleigh Wallace leading the way with 190 this campaign. She is immediately followed by Gabriela Etter's 182 digs.

East Central also has three members with 20+ total blocks, with Iman being one of those. Leading that club is Lana Wright with 57.0 total blocks (12 solo | 45 assists) (4^th GAC).
 
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