MAGNOLIA, Arkansas – The Ouachita volleyball team's comeback bid came up just short as Tigers fell 3-2 to the Muleriders of Southern Arkansas University Thursday night on the road.
Ouachita (15-9, 6-6 GAC) started the Halloween night match off just about even with Southern Arkansas (10-10, 4-8 GAC). The Tigers and Muleriders were neck-in-neck over the first half of the opening set. An 8-0 SAU run gave Southern Arkansas the advantage it was looking for and the Muleriders held on to take set one 25-15.
After starting set two close, SAU used a 5-0 run to tale a six-point lead midway through the frame. Ouachita closed the gap though, using a late 4-0 run to make it a one-point set and then tying things up at 21-21 three points later. The Muleriders retook their lead and kept it for the remainder of the set, winning 25-22 and taking a 2-0 match lead.
The Tigers found some momentum in the third set and took an early 9-3 lead. SAU scored four straight points to bring it back within two before Ouachita answered back with a 4-0 run of its own to push its lead back to six points. From there, the Tigers kept their foot on the gas and held the lead over the rest of the set to win 25-17.
Ouachita kept that momentum going in set four. After the Tigers took the early lead again, Southern Arkansas closed the gap back to two points. A few points later, a 7-1 Tiger run put Ouachita up by nine. The Tigers held off another late comeback bid by the Muleriders and won set four 25-19 and forced a winner-take-all set five.
The first eight combined points of set five were alternated between the two teams. After Ouachita tied the set at 6-6, SAU used a five-point run to take an 11-6 lead. That run proved to be the difference maker in the match. The Tigers tried to claw back into things, bringing the set within two points, but Southern Arkansas kept its lead and won set five 15-13 and took the 3-2 match victory.
Emily Adams paced the offense with 18 kills.
Kailey Thedford was right behind with 17 kills, followed by
Riley Braziel and
Leah Gardner with 12 kills each. Adams also tied with
Haley Fairchild for the team lead in total blocks with four each.
Courtney Hanson led all setters with a season-high 58 assists, one shy of tying her career-high of 59. Hanson also recorded 12 digs to complete the Arlington, Texas native's 13
th double-double of the season.
Avery Jauz led the back row with a career-high 30 digs.
Kylie Kisgen was next with 15. Braziel and Hanson each recorded 12 digs.
Braziel's 12 kills and 12 digs combined for the Decatur, Texas native's ninth double-double of the year.
The Tigers will look to bounce back next week when they host the second-place Bisons of Harding University on Monday, November 4 at 6 p.m. in Arkadelphia.
