ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech Golden Suns clinched a spot in the Great American Conference Championships with a win on Thursday, defeating Henderson State, 3-1 (25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 25-21).
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first set featured six ties and three lead changes, but a 5-2 run to end the game gave Tech (18-10, 8-4 GAC) the three-point win. McCall Wilkins led the Golden Suns with four kills in the set, with three coming in Tech's final five points.
• Tech's defense controlled the second set, limiting Henderson State (12-12, 7-5 GAC) to hit a match-low -.059 with nine attack errors.
• The Golden Suns hit just .188 as a team, but five blocks in the set allowed Tech to take a 2-0 lead in the match. Kaylee Konsella had her hands on four of Tech's five blocks.
• The Reddies responded with a win in the third set, after forcing Tech to commit a match-high 11 attack errors. A 6-1 run late in the game cut Tech's deficit to one point, but a timeout allowed Henderson to regroup and take the final two points to claim the set.
• Both offenses hit over .200 in the fourth set, but a 10-4 run to end the match allowed the Golden Suns to escape with the victory. Wilkins and Hunter Eshnaur combined for eight of Tech's 14 kills in the game.

 
NOTABLES

• With the win, the Golden Suns snap a three-match losing streak in conference play.
• Tech finished the match hitting .153, while holding the Reddies to just .114.
• Henderson's Sharon Tukuaoga led all players with 21 kills and a .486 attack percentage, but Tech limited all other Reddies to a combined 20 kills and -.047 hitting percentage.
• Eshnaur finished with a team-high 13 kills to go along with eight digs.
• Lauren Rodemers followed with 10 kills and a team-high .304 hitting percentage. She also led all players and tied a career-high with 8 assisted blocks.
• Amanda Milnick earned her seventh double-double of the season after compiling 10 kills and a career-high 41 assists. She finished fourth on the team with seven digs, as well.
• Madison Nagel and Matti Dix led the back line for the Golden Suns, recording 12 digs and 11 digs, respectively.

 
COACH BAYER SAYS

• "It was a great win for us tonight. It is never easy to play on the road."
• "Sharon Tukuaoga was amazing tonight. We struggled to stop her, but we were able to hold their offense when she was in the back row."
• "I was proud of the way we stuck in the play and did not give up on balls tonight."

 
NEXT UP

• The Golden Suns return to Tucker Coliseum on Tuesday, Nov. 1, to take on Arkansas-Monticello. The GAC match is scheduled for 6 p.m.