Muleriders drop GAC opener to preseason favorite Arkansas Tech in three sets

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Southern Arkansas opened Great American Conference play on Tuesday night with the first of sixteen scheduled matches against league opponents, but fell to preseason favorite Arkansas Tech in three sets inside Tucker Coliseum.

OF NOTE

Arkansas Tech outhit Southern Arkansas .416 to -.020 and delivered 44 kills to SAU's 21.

The Golden Suns led 10-3 and 18-6 before taking a 25-9 set one victory.

Trailing 12-11 in set two, the Muleriders were unable to withstand a deep Tech run that saw the Golden Suns score 13 of the next 18 points to take the set, before jumping out to a 14-4 lead in the third set to claim the match.

Freshman Rylea Brimhall led the Muleriders with five kills at an efficient .500 attack clip in a limited eight attempts.

Junior Seven Powers and sophomore Morgan Gross each added four kills.

Freshmen Fabiola Rivera and Lexie Kruse combined for 18 of the team's 20 assists. The duo each added five digs as did junior Kayley Davis.

Camryn Bihary led SAU with 11 digs, while Gross and classmate Lauren Smith each recorded three block assists with the former adding a solo block.

UP NEXT

The Muleriders return to action on Thursday, September 6 at 5 p.m. in Dallas, Texas, at the Dallas Baptist Tri-Match. Thursday night's matchup pits the Muleriders against their second nationally-ranked opponent this season in #17 Texas A&M-Commerce. Southern Arkansas plays host DBU on Friday, September 7, at 2 p.m. Live coverage links are available at http://www.MuleriderAthletics.com.

 

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