HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Katie Huff posted a team-best 16 kills,
Madison Nagel contributed 20 digs, while
Sarita Stegall dished out 43 assists, but the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns volleyball team (26-7) dropped a 3-1 decision to Southern Arkansas (20-13) in the semifinals of the Great American Conference championship.
HOW IT HAPPENED- After Arkansas Tech won the opening set 25-21, Southern Arkansas reeled off three straight set wins, winning sets two through four 25-22, 25-20, and 25-23.
- Tech outhit SAU .208 to .130 in the opening set, but SAU outhit Tech in the remaining sets. The Muleriders never dropped below .200 in a set the remainder of the match.
- SAU's Emilie Aase hit .522 – picking up 13 kills on 23 swings with just one attack error.
- The opening set was back-and-forth, but Tech never trailed again after taking a 19-18 lead.
- Tech led the second set 10-5, but an 8-2 run by SAU gave the Muleriders the lead and SAU would not trail again.
- The Golden Suns had an 8-5 lead in the third set, but SAU claimed the lead at 17-16 and held the lead through the remainder of the set.
- SAU pulled ahead 4-3 in the final set and did not trail down the stretch.
NOTABLES- Katie Huff closed her Tech career with 12 consecutive matches hitting over .300 with 10 or more kills in all but one match during that stretch.
- Hunter Eshnaur had an 11-kill, 19-dig double-double – her 14th of the season.
- McCall Wilkins added a 10-kill performance.
- Senior Colleen Wooten had 17 digs – her highest total of the season.
- Fellow senior Kaci Jackson also added 13 digs.
- Sarita Stegall added 11 digs to her 43 assists, notching her 13th double-double of the season.
COACH BAYER SAYS- On the tournament – "We just didn't have a good tournament. We struggled to gain momentum both matches. We rely heavily on our offense, and we just never got in a rhythm offensively."
- On the four seniors – "Our four seniors have given their heart to this program the last four years. They have had tremendous success here at Tech."
- On the 2015 season – "We had a great season. I am proud of the way these ladies played this year."
-FIGHTON-
