COVERAGE LINKS I TOURNAMENT PAGE
 
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – After finishing the regular season 19-10 overall and 10-6 in conference matches, No. 4 seed Henderson State will face No. 5 seed Southern Arkansas in the first round of the GAC Tournament. The first serve for the Reddies' quarterfinal matchup against the Muleriders is set for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16 at the Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs, Ark.
 
REDDIES REPORT
The Henderson State attack has featured a one-two punch all season as Christiane Uzoh and Violeta Mendoza Quintana pace the Reddies' offense. In Uzoh's four seasons at HSU, she has recorded 200 kills in each of the last three years, including a season-high 284 kills this campaign. The Beaumont, Texas native saw a career-high 23 kills in this year's first win over Ouachita Baptist as part of her 16 double-figure kill matches.
 
Mendoza Quintana has not skipped a beat after returning from injury, which kept her sidelined all of 2022. The former GAC Newcomer of the Year and All-GAC First Team honoree is the only HSU player to reach 200 kills and digs this season, having recorded 270 kills and 388 digs across 103 sets. The Chihuahua, Mexico native is averaging 2.62 kills per set on a .171 attack average and is averaging 3.20 points per set, which ranks ninth best in the GAC.
 
Larkin Luke and Trinity Sharp have been a part of a defensive force that has held opponent offenses to a GAC-low .130 attack average. After compiling seven blocks in the most recent match, Luke ranks second in the conference in total blocks with 99.0 and leads the league in solo blocks with 36. Sharp in the back row, has a team-high 472 digs, and is averaging a GAC-second-best 4.67 digs per set.
 
After a regular season finale defeat to Southern Arkansas, Henderson State eyes revenge in the first round of the GAC Tournament. The Reddies and Muleriders split the season series as each side won their respective home match. Over the two contests, Mendoza Quintana compiled 20 kills and 39 digs in the sevens sets played.
 
This is just the second time HSU and SAU will see each other in the conference tournament. The first time Henderson State and Southern Arkansas met in the postseason was during the 2020-21 season when HSU defeated the Muleriders 3-1 in the opening round. The Reddies are 1-4 in quarterfinal matches, while Southern Arkansas is 3-2.
 
SCOUTING SOUTHERN ARKANSAS
Southern Arkansas secured a spot in the GAC Tournament for the first time since 2015 with a 9-7 conference record, which ties for the second most GAC wins in program history. Additionally, the Muleriders reached double-digit wins on the year for the first time since that same year, as SAU finished the regular season 15-13 overall.
 
The Muleriders attack runs through senior setter Morgan Shuster, who has 590 of the team's 1186 assists this season. Connecting on the end of the Shuster's sets is junior outside hitter Kayte Delong. Delong paces the SAU attack with 246 kills on a .270 attack average and has 18 kills in her last two contests. As a unit, the Mulerider offense produces 12.22 kills per set, ranking eighth across the GAC.
 
SAU's Lauryn Moultrie helps lead a Mulerider defense that has held opponents to a .199 attack average with 96.0 total blocks. Joining Moultrie in the defensive efforts is libero Alessia Sonzini, who leads the team with 337 digs and is averaging a team-best 4.11 digs per set.
 
IMPORTANT MATCHDAY INFORMATION
For those attending the tournament, tickets are $10 per day, $7 for students, and children five and under enter for free. GAC passes will also be honored at the tournament. Additionally, for those who will be in attendance, the Great American Conference has implemented a clear bag policy for this year's tournament.