ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita volleyball team opened Great American Conference play with a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Southern Arkansas at home on Tuesday night.
The Tigers rallied back after losing the first set 25-22 to win the next three 27-25, 25-17, and 25-22.
After committing eight attack errors in the first two sets each, Ouachita found a rhythm in the final two frames, committing only one error on 28 swings in the third for a .464 percentage and then finishing off the Muleriders with a .282 percentage in the fourth.
SAU was poised to force a fifth set up 19-17 late, but the Tigers went on a tear with four straight points, highlighted by three kills from
Kailey Thedford, to hold a 21-19 lead. SAU came back to make it 22-22 before Ouachita closed out with the final three points, including an ace from
Kylie Kisgen for the clincher.
Sophie Henry had a productive night both offensively and defensively with a team-high 14 kills and a .522 percentage to go along with seven total blocks.
Thedford and
Leah Gardner each reached double-digits in kills with 12 and 10, respectively.
Mack Bidwell registered her third match of the year with at least 40 assists, racking up 42 against the Muleriders.
Kisgen and Thedford led the back row with 15 and 12 digs, respectively.
The Tigers are on the road this weekend in Oklahoma to take part in the GAC/MIAA Crossover Challenge with three matches in Shawnee and another in Edmond. This will be Ouachita's final non-conference action of the season.
