ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - Henderson State opens the week on the road against Southern Arkansas on Tuesday September 15th at 6:00 P.M in the WT Watson Athletic Center.  The Reddies then return home to host Harding September 17th at 6:30 PM in the Duke Wells Center.

Henderson State had a long week, as they faced Arkansas Tech on the road to open GAC play on Tuesday, September 7th, falling 3-1. The Reddies then traveled to Florida for the Triton/Lion Invite, hosted by Eckerd College and Saint Leo University. On day one, the Reddies faced off against Georgia College & State, defeating them 3-1. They then faced hosts Saint Leo, and once again, secured a 3-1 win. On day two, Henderson faced the other host school, Eckerd College and received their only loss of the weekend, 3-1. The Reddies then wrapped up the weekend with a dominant 3-0 win over Franklin Pierce.

Sophomore Kelis Battles leads the Reddies offensively with 161 kills, which ranks third in the GAC. She also leads the team in kills per set (3.29), total attacks (579) and service aces (16). Junior Lasheena Gooseberry follows in second on the team in kills (126), kills per set (2.63) and total attacks (364). Senior Kaylon Partain and Sophomore Tyhia Mack each rank second with 11 service aces.

Mack is the main orchestrator of the offense,  as she leads the team with assists (259) and assists per set (5.29). Sophomore Alyssa Lindeman contributes meaningfully at the setter position, as they follow Mack in assists with 171, averaging 3.98 assists per set.

Defensively, Partain continues to dominate after her Defensive Player of the Year performance last season. She currently ranks second in the nation, while leading the GAC with 321 digs, averaging 6.55 digs per set. Battles and Mack rank behind Partain, with 225 and 114 digs respectively.

At the net, Henderson State leads the GAC in total blocks (116.0) and Blocks per set (2.37). The leader for the Reddies is Cassidi Campbell, who ranks second individually in the GAC with 46 blocks, averaging 1.02 blocks per set. 

Scouting Southern Arkansas (4-8, 0-1)
The Muleriders are coming off a 2-1 week, where they defeated Southwest Baptist University (3-0) and Missouri S&T (3-0), before losing to Missouri Southern (3-1).

Offensively, Southeastern is led by Peighton Killeen, who leads the team in kills (118) and kills per set (2.81), while Brinklee Dauenhauer ranks second with 113 kills. Hayden Pinard orchestrates the offense, as she leads the team with 278 assists and in assists per set (6.47).

Defensively, Kendall Toliver leads the team in digs (193), while Dauenhauer ranks second (144). At the net, Courtnee Morgan leads the team in blocks (35.0) and blocks per set (0.83).

The Reddies lost to Southern Arkansas the last time they met, falling 3-1 in Magnolia. When playing on the road in the WT Watson Athletic Center, HSU is 11-12 against the Muleriders holding a 52-18 record all-time.

Scouting Harding (11-1, 1-0)
The Bisons are coming off a 3-0 week, where they defeated Southwest Baptist University (3-1), Missouri Southern (3-0) and Missouri S&T (3-0).

Harding's offense is well-balanced, with Ella Drake leading the team with 97 kills, while three other players recording 90+ kills: Melania Haines (96), Philomina Klotz (94), and Addie Worley (93). Olivia Wiedower is the main distributor for the Bisons, as she leads the team with 410 assists, averaging 10.25 assists per set.

Defensively, the Bisons are led by Mallory Weyand, who has 168 digs. At the net, Rauly Eason leads with 31 blocks.

The Reddies last faced Harding in the GAC Tournament, where they were defeated 3-0 in the first round. When playing Harding in the Duke Wells Center, Henderson is 17-23, holding a 18-48 record all-time.