RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas Tech will look to earn its fifth straight victory on Thursday, as the Golden Suns travel to Magnolia to take on Southern Arkansas. The Great American Conference match is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
Tech (19-10, 9-4 GAC) is currently tied for third in the GAC with Ouachita. The Golden Suns are coming off back-to-back conference wins, including a four-set triumph over Arkansas-Monticello that completed the season sweep over the Cotton Blossoms. The Golden Suns also defeated Henderson State on Oct. 27, after previously losing to the Reddies in four sets earlier this season.
 
Southern Arkansas (9-18, 3-10 GAC) has dropped three consecutive matches, including a three-set loss to Harding on Tuesday. The Lady Muleriders boast conference victories over Henderson State, Northwestern Oklahoma and East Central. Tech and SAU will play on Thursday for the second time this season, with the first match ending in a three-set victory for the Golden Suns.
 
In the previous match between the Golden Suns and Lady Muleriders, Tech held its opponent to a negative hitting percentage for the first time in two years. Since the 3-0 win over SAU, however, the Golden Suns have held three other opponents to a negative hitting percentage. Tech also ranks second in the GAC in opponent hitting.
 
Tech has posted a .225 team hitting percentage so far this season, while limiting opponents to just .151. SAU has hit just .166 this year, with opponents hitting .202. Hunter Eshnaur leads the Golden Suns with 3.51 kills per set, followed by McCall Wilkins with 2.11. Lauren Rodemers leads Tech's defense up front, averaging just under one block per set. Madison Nagel paces the back line with 4.43 digs per set.
 
The Golden Suns are 35-29 all-time against the Lady Muleriders, including the previous victory this season. Tech looks to complete the season sweep of its second GAC team in as many matches on Thursday. Live stats and video will be available at www.arkansastechsports.com.