JOPLIN, Mo. – Behind the ninth highest hitting percentage in program history, the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns defeated Chadron State, 3-0 (25-12, 25-12, 25-12), on Friday to open the Townplace Suites Invitational hosted by Missouri Southern. The Suns hit .551, the highest attack percentage since September 11, 2007.
 
UP NEXT

• Arkansas Tech (7-0) continues play in the tournament on Saturday, taking on Maryville at 2:30 p.m. and Missouri Southern at 6:30 p.m.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Tech hit .640 in the first set, recording 16 kills and zero attack errors. Chadron State was held to just seven kills and five errors, totaling a .087 hitting percentage.
• The Suns followed its first-set offensive showcase with a .542 hitting percentage in the second game. Arkansas Tech posted a 5-0 run and a 7-0 run in the set, finishing the game on a 9-2 run.
• The Golden Suns opened the final set on a 10-2 run and eventually took the game and match behind a .483 hitting percentage.
• Arkansas Tech finished the match with 45 kills, while Chadron State was limited to just 21.
• Hunter Eshnaur led the Suns with 11 kills on 18 attacks, finishing with a .611 hitting percentage. Lexie Johnston added eight kills without an error, Greer Rogers followed with seven kills and no errors.
• Amanda Milnick finished with a match-high 26 assists, while Madison Nagel led Tech with 13 digs.

 
NOTABLES

• Arkansas Tech has opened the season 7-0 for just the fourth time in program history and the first since starting 16-0 in 2008.
• The Suns committed just two attack errors in the entire match, the lowest total since Oct. 28, 2008, against Champion Baptist.

 
COACH KRISTY BAYER SAYS

• "Offensively, we put on a show tonight. All our hitters were physical and efficient."
• "I was proud of the way we maintained our momentum the entire match and never let up. I stressed to the team how important it is to stay focused and finish out the weekend strong."