Fort Smith, AR / Lawton, OK – Entering the home stretch of the season, the Mustang volleyball team hits the road for the final time this season. The Lions of UAFs and the Aggies of Cameron will play host to the Mustangs, Friday and Saturday for the second to last weekend of conference play.
 
A LOOK BACK:
In match one of the weekend, the Mustangs posted a strong performance against Dallas Baptist behind a double-double performance from Bria Augustine (Bell Flower, CA/Mayfair High School) (12 kills, 17 digs.) After taking set one, the Mustangs rallied behind tough serving from Madelynn Culp (Vancouver, WA/Union High School) to come from behind and take set two in extra points. The third and final set was determined by just two points, but it was the Mustang's pressure behind the service line that assisted in the straight set sweep.
 
Night two welcomed the Texans of Tarleton to Drag's Court, and the Mustangs put them to the test. Both outside hitters for the Mustangs recorded double-doubles, Bria Augustine (Bell Flower, CA/Mayfair High School) contributed 17 kills and 12 digs, while Erin Moss (Kailua, HI/University Laboratory School) added 14 kills, and 10 digs. Four of Augustine's kills put the Mustangs ahead late in the first, before a kill from Erin Moss (Kailua, HI/University Laboratory School) gave way to a 25-23 first set win.
WNMU would put up a fight for the rest of the match, but TSU would prevail in four.
 

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS:
UNIV. OF ARKANSAS FORT SMITH (UAFS) LIONS (20-5, 13-1 LSC)

• The Lions of UAFS are tied with A&M Commerce in their division with a 7-1 record.
• Riding a seven game winning streak, UAFS remained flawless in road matches with a five set win over A&M Commerce, followed by a 3-1 win at UT Tyler.
• WNMU and UAFS have only met twice previously, both during the preseason. UAFS took home a 3-0 back in 2014, before WNMU tied the series with a 3-1 win in St. George last season.
• Friday's match will determine who takes the lead in the series.
• Senior outside hitter, Anna Demmer leads the Lions offensive attack with 320 kills, hitting at a .270 clip with a 3.60 average a set. Her efforts last weekend, earned her offensive and defensive conference player of the week.
• Senior setter Amanda Van Wyk gets it done on both ends of the ball, with 16 double-doubles on the season in assists and digs.
• Junior middle, Lexi Johnston comes in at number two in the conference with an efficient .405 hitting percentage, while also averaging 1.16 blocks per set.

CAMERON AGGIES (6-19, 2-12 LSC)

• While UAFS takes the top spot in their division, the Aggies fall on the other end with a 1-7 record.
• Saturday's match will mark Senior Day for the Aggies.
• Currently on a three game losing streak, the Aggies last win came in a five-set thriller over St. Mary's in Lawton.
• Historically, the Mustangs hold a 8-3 advantage in the series, winning the last three matches dating back to Oct. 28, 2017.
• Freshman outside, Ariana Navarette has 206 kills to her name  for a 2.31 average so far this season.
• Junior setter Katherine Manning has dished out 456 assists this season for a 5.01 average.
• Both Navarette and Manning have 18 service aces to lead the Aggies.

 
WNMU opens the weekend on Friday, Nov. 8 at UAFS starting at 6 p.m. CST (5 p.m. MST). They'll travel to Lawton, Oklahoma for the second match of the weekend at Cameron with first serve scheduled for 2 p.m. CST (1 p.m. MST).