Bison Head to Arkansas to Face Muleriders, Boll Weevils

SHAWNEE – After picking up another pair of Great American Conference victories last week, #24 Oklahoma Baptist volleyball heads to Arkansas this weekend for matches against Southern Arkansas (Oct. 8) and Arkansas-Monticello (Oct. 9). The Bison (15-4, 7-0 GAC) are off to the best GAC start in program history, and have won a combined 18 straight matches against the Muleriders (5-13, 1-6) and Boll Weevils (2-18, 0-7).

Fans can catch all the action live on the GAC Sports Network as well as follow along on live stats (SAU/UAM). Match notes are also available for more in-depth storylines and analysis. 

PERFECT IN GAC PLAY

• Oklahoma Baptist enters the Arkansas trip 15-4 overall and 7-0 in Great American Conference play.
• The Bison have won six consecutive matches.
• OBU has won 21 of its last 25 conference sets.
• The Bison have earned conference victories in three, four and five sets.
• The 7-0 start in GAC play is the best conference start of the NCAA Division II era.

BOYER JOINS THE 3,000 CLUB

• Emily Boyer became only the second player in Oklahoma Baptist history to reach 3,000 career assists against Arkansas Tech.
• Boyer enters the week with 3,021 career assists.
• The senior also owns the OBU career service-ace record with 143.
• Boyer recently surpassed 1,000 career digs.
• Through matches played Oct. 5, Boyer ranked 1st in the GAC and 2nd nationally in total assists with 690.
• Boyer ranked 4th in the GAC and 43rd nationally in assists per set.

DONEGAN EARNS GAC HONOR

• Melody Donegan was named the GAC Offensive Player of the Week after helping lead OBU to victories over Harding and Arkansas Tech.
• Donegan recorded 32 kills over the two-match stretch.
• She hit .403 during the week and led OBU with 16 kills against both Harding and Arkansas Tech.
• Donegan is averaging more than three kills per set during conference play.
• She has reached double figures in kills in four of OBU's last five matches.

SCOUTING SOUTHERN ARKANSAS

• Southern Arkansas enters the week at 5-13 overall and 1-6 in GAC play.
• The Muleriders average 12.25 kills, 10.99 assists and 18.00 digs per set, one of the strongest defensive averages in the conference.
• Southern Arkansas ranks 11th nationally in digs per set and 24th nationally in total attacks through matches played Oct. 5.
• Abby Clanton leads the Muleriders with 212 kills and averages 3.20 kills per set.
• Mattie Hendrix has added 183 kills, while Abby Clanton and Emma Jones have each surpassed 150 digs.
• Setter Lauren Brown directs the offense with 596 assists.
• The Muleriders have played six five-set matches, tied for the most among OBU's remaining regular-season opponents.

SCOUTING Arkansas-Monticello

• Arkansas-Monticello enters the week at 2-18 overall and 0-7 in GAC play.
• The Blossoms average 9.03 kills, 8.31 assists and 15.41 digs per set.
• UAM ranks last in the GAC in hitting percentage, kills per set and assists per set.
• Opponents are hitting.254 against Arkansas-Monticello, the highest opponent hitting percentage in the conference.
• Kenzie Jones leads the Blossoms with 164 kills.
• Kylie White has added 117 kills, while Emma Caldwell leads the back row with 243 digs.
• Setter Gracie Ford leads the team with 440 assists.