MARSHALL, Minn. - Arkansas Tech volleyball concluded its season on Thursday, as the Golden Suns fell 3-0 (25-9, 25-20, 25-21) to No. 2 Southwest Minnesota State in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Tournament. The Suns finish the season with a 35-1 record and the highest single-season win percentage in program history.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• SMSU (29-3) recorded 12 kills and just one attack error in the first set, while forcing the Suns to commit eight attack errors.
• Arkansas Tech improved its defense in the second set, limiting the Mustangs to a .211 attack percentage. SMSU opened the set with a 7-1 run, however, and never allowed Tech to tie or take a lead.
• The Golden Suns' most efficient game offensively came in the third set, as Tech posted a .351 attack percentage with a match-high 16 kills. 
• Tech scored the first three points of the final set and maintained its lead until a 13-3 run by the Mustangs put SMSU in the lead. Southwest Minnesota State later took the set and the match with Taylor Reiss' match-high 17th kill. 
• Lexie Johnston led Arkansas Tech with 10 kills, while Tabitha Spray added eight kills and a team-high .429 hitting percentage. Amanda Milnick compiled 26 assists, and Madison Nagel led the defense with 11 digs. 

NOTABLES

• The Golden Suns' 35 wins in a season are the most since 2011 and are tied for second most in program history. Tech still currently leads Division II in wins this season.
• Arkansas Tech finishes the season hitting .287 as a team, the second highest mark in school history and highest in Great American Conference history. 
• The Golden Suns also set single-season conference records for opponent hitting percentage, kills per set and assists per set.

HEAD COACH KRISTY BAYER

• "I told the girls this stage that we played on tonight is what athletes dream of. Although the outcome was not what we wanted, it was a once in a lifetime experience."