SEARCY, Ark. – The Trevecca Nazarene University volleyball team (6-3) went 2-1 at the Harding University Invitational with Saturday's 3-0 (25-23, 25-12, 26-24) sweep of the University of Southern Arkansas.

THE SERIES 
The Muleriders and Trojans are now tied 1-1 in the all-time series.   
 
THE MATCH 
The Trojans led 7-3 early, but Muleriders took their first lead of the match at 16-15 after scoring four straight. From there, the set went back-and-forth until the Trojans broke the pattern and scored three consecutive points to take a 22-20 lead. The back-and-forth pattern resumed until the Trojans secured the win 25-23.
 
Southern Arkansas scored the first point of the second set, but the Trojans scored the next four and rolled from there. The Trojans built a double-digit lead (18-8) and led by as many as 13, which was the final margin (25-12).
 
TNU opened the third set leading 9-5 and looked to be in control, but the Muleriders didn't wilt. In fact, they eventually came all the way back to take the lead. First at 20-19. Southern Arkansas appeared in position to push the match to a fourth set, leading 23-22, but Trevecca scored four of the last five points to gain the sweep in extra points, 26-24.
  
TROJAN NOTES
Mackenzie Martin led the Trojans with 13 kills while Addison Cunnagin also had double-digit kills with 10. Cunnagin added eight (8) digs. Katilyn Grant led the team with seven (7) blocks and added nine (9) kills. Skias Hainline produced a double-double with 36 assists and 10 digs. Lily Vanbebber had 15 digs and seven assists.

UP NEXT
Next week, the Trojans start their second season of Gulf South Conference play. The Trojans came in tied at #6 with Montevallo on the GSC Preseason Coaches poll.
 
Union University (2-5), picked #8 in the preseason poll, visits on Tuesday. The battle with the Bulldogs starts at 6:00 PM. The Trojans lead the NCAA era series 6-4, winning all three meetings last year, including a first round win in the 2024 GSC Tournament.
 
The first GSC road trip for the Trojans is also next week. TNU visits fellow preseason #6 Montevallo (3-6) on Friday, Sept. 26 at 6:00 PM. TNU leads the all-time series with the Falcons 3-2, sweeping the season series in 2024. Preseason #2 UAH (8-1) on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 2:00 PM. The Chargers have a 13-2 edge in the series with all meetings coming in the D2 era. The last Trojan win came in 2021 at Kelly Court at Spragins Hall on the UAH campus.
 
The Trojans return home for a three game home stand on Tuesday, Sept. 30 (6:00 PM) when the preseason #3 Lee University Flames (4-4) visit. The Trojans and Flames have a long history in the NAIA era, but in the D2 era, the Trojans have a 2-1 edge in the series. The teams split the season series last year. Preseason # 10 West Alabama Tigers (4-3) opens the October slate when they visit Trojan Fieldhouse on Friday, Oct. 3 at 6:00 PM. Trevecca took both meetings in 2024, the only two games between the two schools in volleyball. Preseason # 4 Mississippi College (3-7) faces the Trojans on the Hill at 1:00 PM on Saturday, Oct. 4. The two teams split the regular season series last year, but the Choctaws won the rubber match in the GSC Championships. They now lead the all-time series 2-1.