HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Tabitha Spray turned in a season-high 17 kills and hit .444, Hunter Eshnaur added 14 kills, and Amanda Milnick dished out 49 assists as the No. 8 Arkansas Tech Golden Suns volleyball team (34-0) topped Southern Nazarene (15-18) 3-1 in the semifinals of the 2017 Great American Conference volleyball championship.
 
UP NEXT

• The Golden Suns play the second-seeded Harding Lady Bisons in the Great American Conference championship match at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The two teams played a close opening set, with Tech opening a 17-13 lead and forcing SNU to take a timeout. The Crimson Storm were unable to close the deficit after the timeout and were forced to take their second timeout at the 20-14 mark as the Golden Suns won the set 25-18.
• The second set saw more of the same, with Tech edging ahead, but the Crimson Storm came back and knotted the match at 11-11. SNU pulled ahead 15-12 in the set to force a Tech timeout. SNU scored the first two points out of the timeout to extend its lead to 17-12.
• Arkansas Tech quickly narrowed the gap to 18-16, and after the Golden Suns were able to pull to within one (19-18), SNU was forced to call a timeout.
• Tech tied the set out of the timeout, but the Crimson Storm scored three straight points to claim a 22-19 advantage and force a Tech timeout. The Golden Suns were able to pull to within two, but SNU was able to close out a 25-21 set win to even the match.
• The Golden Suns quickly took charge in the third set, opening up a 10-4 lead and forcing a Southern Nazarene timeout. The Crimson Storm were able to pull to within five (20-15) before the Golden Suns were able to close out the set 25-17.
• The fourth set was even through the first eight points, but SNU scored back-to-back points to take an early 6-4 advantage. Tech rallied to knot the set at 7-7.
• SNU went on a 4-1 run to pull ahead 11-8 and force a Tech timeout. Out of the timeout, the Golden Suns scored five consecutive points to take a 13-11 lead and force the Crimson Storm to take a timeout of their own.
• Out of the timeout, the Golden Suns continued to hold the momentum, scoring four of the next five to claim a 17-12 lead.
•  Tech was able to hold SNU at arm's length down the stretch to seal the 25-17 victory.

NOTABLES

• Tech outhit SNU .301 to .209, going for a match-best .481 in the third set.
• Lexie Johnston also hit in double figures, notching 12 kills.
• Madison Nagel added a match-high 22 digs, while Meredith Darnell added 22.
• Tech held a 7-6 advantage in blocking, with Lexie Johnston turning in a game-high four.
• The Golden Suns were solid in serve-receive, successfully receiving 70 serves with just two errors.
• The win sets up the fourth all-time meeting between Harding and Arkansas Tech in the GAC title match. The Golden Suns won the championship over the Lady Bisons in 2011 and 2013, while Harding won its lone conference crown in 2012.
• Arkansas Tech will vie for its fourth GAC tournament crown – in addition to the two wins over Harding, the Golden Suns knocked off SNU in 2014.

COACH BAYER SAYS

• On the key areas in the win – "We played great defense tonight. Meredith Darnell was outstanding. Plus, she brought great energy and intensity."
• On the play of Hunter Eshnaur – "SNU targeted Hunter in serve receive. She was able to effectively pass in serve receive while putting the ball away offensively."
• On Tabitha Spray's career night - "Tabitha had some impressive kills tonight. She did a good job seeing the block. She and Amanda connected well."
• On the match overall – "It was a fun, competitive match. SNU brought their A-game tonight. They played hard. I was glad we rose to the occasion and finished it out."