GOLDEN SUNS OPEN SEASON THURSDAY
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark.- Thursday marks the beginning of the season for Golden Suns volleyball. It will be the first time for seven players to wear an Arkansas Tech jersey in a sanctioned match but the second year for the team to enter a season under head coach
Kera Dukic.
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There's a lot of talent loaded in the 17-player roster that will make this weekend the perfect opportunity for players to step up and secure a spot on the court. Four matches over the span of three days, calls for a weekend packed with competition.
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The Golden Suns will open against Missouri-St Louis, Thursday, Sept. 5, at 5 p.m. They will then face Newman at 9 a.m. on Friday, followed by a 3:30 p.m. match against host Missouri S&T. The Suns finish the weekend with a match against Auburn-Montgomery at 9 a.m. Saturday. Live video and stats will be available for all four matches at arkansastechsports.com.
Series History
- Missouri-St. Louis: The teams have split their last two matchups and are tied in the series 1-1. This is the first meeting since the 2004 season.
- Newman: Newman leads the series 2-1.
- Missouri S&T: Â Tech leads the series 1-0.
- Auburn-Montgomery: Saturday's match marks the first time the two programs will meet.
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Three Things to Know
1. Check Height Requirements
Although there might not be regulated height requirements to play on the team, there seems to be a trend now that over half the team is 5-11 or taller. At one point, the three players on the front row could be 6-1, 6-2 and 6-0 and you can add a few inches with how high they jump. Several players have already stepped up in practices, but this weekend gives every player a chance to be at the top, even if they are under 5-11.
2. Experience Matters
This team isn't full of just underclassmen and freshman. With a strong junior class to compliment the 2-man senior group, there's leadership across all positions. There might be seven new faces, but there's plenty of playing experience with three of them already starting their volleyball careers before coming to Arkansas Tech.
3. Entering the 2nd Year At The Helm
Head Coach
Kera Dukic enters her 2
nd year guiding the Golden Suns volleyball program after playing four years and coaching as a graduate assistant for three years at Arkansas Tech. After stints at University of Central Oklahoma and St. Thomas University, she came back to take over at her alma mater as the 10
th head coach of the program. She looks to put the team at the top of the conference this season, with a solid first season as head coach of the Golden Suns under her belt.
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For the latest information on Golden Suns Volleyball, make sure to check out
arkansastechsports.com. You can also find the team on social media @ArkansasTechVB on
Facebook, Instagram and
Twitter. Â
-FIGHTON-