ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Reddies are headed to Oklahoma this week, starting their road trip against Southeastern Oklahoma State in Durant on October 16th at 6:00 PM in the Bloomer Sullivan Gymnasium. They then travel to Ada to face East Central on October 17th at 4:00 PM in the Kerr Activities Center.
Henderson State are coming off a four-match split week, winning against Lane College (3-0) and Northwestern Oklahoma State (3-0), while losing to Texas A&M-Texarkana (3-2) and Southwestern Oklahoma State (3-2).
The Reddies showcases a strong offensive attack led by three-time Offensive Player of the Week
Katilyn Steffes, who leads the nation and the GAC in total kills (318), while also leading the GAC in kills per set (4.48) and total attacks (966). Freshman
Kelis Battles ranks second on the team behind Steffes in kills (222), kills per set (2.81) and total attacks (698). Freshman
Berkeley Berry currently ranks fourth in the GAC and leads the team in service aces with 31.
Tyhia Mack currently orchestrates the offense, as she leads the team with assists (420) and assists per set (5.38). Sophomore
Skylar Holler contributes meaningfully at the setter position, as they follow Mack in assists with 208, averaging 4.24 assists per set.
Defensively,
Kaylon Partain currently ranks first in the nation and the GAC this season in total digs (458) and second in the GAC in digs per set (5.87). Steffes and Berry rank behind Partain on the team, collecting 247 and 176 digs respectively.
The Reddies remain strong at the net, as they rank second in the GAC in total blocks (176.5), and blocks per set (2.20). Junior
Cassidi Campbell ranks second in the GAC and leads the team individually, with 88 total blocks, and ranks fourth in blocks per set (1.13), while Steffes ranks second in blocks (41.0).
Scouting Southeastern Oklahoma State (7-11, 2-5)
The Savage Storm are coming off a 1-2 week, where they lost to Oklahoma Christian (3-1) and Southern Arkansas (3-2), before beating Arkansas-Monticello (3-0).
Offensively, Southeastern is led by Gabby Jones, who leads the team in kills (183) and kills per set (3.10). Jasmin Dion orchestrates the offense, as she leads the team with 425 assists and in assists per set (7.20).
Defensively, Gabby Jones leads the team in digs (198), while Laura Weatherford ranks second in digs (162) and leads in digs per set with 4.05. At the net, Alexis Williams leads the team in blocks (49.0) and blocks per set (0.83).
The Reddies beat Southeastern the last time they met, winning 3-1 at home. When playing on the road in the Bloomer Sullivan Gymnasium, HSU is 5-2 against the Savage Storm, holding a 13-6 record all-time.
Scouting East Central (5-14, 3-2)
The Tigers are coming off of a split week, as they went on the road, winning against Arkansas-Monticello (3-0), and losing to Southern Arkansas (3-1).
East Central's attack is set around three players, with Faiana Halatoa leading the way in kills (143) and kills per set (2.34). Emily Pena orchestrates the offense, leading the team with 257 assists, and averaging 5.71 assists per set.
Defensively, the Tigers are led by Valentina Tijerina with 252 digs, while also averaging 3.88 digs per set. At the net, East Central is led by Kensington White, who has 64.0 blocks on the season and averaging 0.97 blocks per set.
Henderson State lost the last time they met the Tigers, falling at home 3-1. When playing on the road in the Kerr Activities Center, the Reddies are 2-5, and hold a 5-13 all-time record against East Central.