RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - The Arkansas Tech Volleyball Team will host two conference games in Tucker Collesium this weekend on Friday, October 8 and Saturday, October 9. On Friday, the Golden Suns will face Oklahoma Baptist as they look to keep their elite-level performance from the last three weeks going. Arkansas Tech will then host Southern Nazarene Saturday afternoon for another GAC matchup.

The reigning Great American Conference Champions, Oklahoma Baptist, will be the first opponent of the weekend for Tech. Last season, the Lady Bison went 18-0 overall and held an undefeated conference record at 10-0. The 2020 season was a shortened one due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. This season, Oklahoma Baptist is 11-2 overall with a 4-1 record in conference play. The Lady Bison picked up their fifth straight win in their last match against Arkansas- Fort Smith 3-1.

Southern Nazarene went 3-9 overall with a 3-7 conference record during the 2020 season. This season, the Crimson Storm are 5-8 overall with an 0-5 record in conference play. The last match for Southern Nazarene resulted in a 3-1 win against Cameron. Before facing the Golden Suns on Saturday, the Crimson Storm will travel to Searcy to face Harding Friday afternoon. 

Expect the Golden Sun offense to be lead by GAC Offensive Players of the Week Tymber Riley and Haylee Paladini. Riley leads the team in total kills with 156 on the season while averaging 3.18 kills per set. Paladini follows behind with 104 total kills while averaging 2.17 kills per set. Pacing the Tech offense is junior setter Brianna Merkel with 336 assists on the season. Sophomore setter Gracie Palmer has also made an impact with 105 total assists.

Senior libero Madison Grantham will be the driving force behind the Golden Sun defense. Grantham leads the team in digs with 206 while averaging 4.04 digs per set. Senior outside hitter Tymber Riley has the second most with 101. Riley produced two back-to-back matches with double-doubles in kills and digs earlier this season. The leader in total blocks for the team is senior middle blocker Emily Ragsdale with 40. Junior Kaitlynn Bradley follows with 33 total blocks on the season.

The first match of the weekend on Friday, October 8 against Oklahoma Baptist will begin at 6 p.m. in Tucker Coliseum. Saturday's match against Southern Nazarene will begin at noon.