HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - The Arkansas Tech Volleyball Team advances to the semi-final round of the 2021 GAC Volleyball Championships after a successful 3-0 sweep (25-23, 25-20, 25-23) against Henderson State. 

Leading the charge on the offensive end of the floor for the Golden Suns was senior outside hitter Tymber Riley with a post-season double-double putting down 13 kills and grabbing 13 digs. Senior right-side hitter Haylee Paladini was another offensive weapon for Tech in the match notching 10 kills and 2 digs against Henderson. Senior middle blocker Emily Ragsdale also contributed to the offensive attack with 8 kills at a .333 clip and 2 digs, while freshman Abby Simpson had 7 kills and 2 digs. Pacing the offense was junior setter Brianna Merkel with 36 assists in the match.

Anchoring the defense was senior libero Madison Grantham with 18 digs. Junior Megan Solberg and Merkel were also a major lift to the Golden Sun defense with 16 digs each. Holding down the front line was junior outside hitter Kaitlynn Bradley alongside Ragsdale and Paladini, with the trio each picking up two blocks. 

The Reddies wasted no time getting off to a hot start and grabbing an early 7-5 lead over the Golden Suns. Tech fought back to tie it up at 11-11. The Golden Suns then found a 7-1 run due to costly errors by the Reddies to take a 17-12 lead. Two kills by Riley and two errors by Henderson gave Tech a 21-15 lead. The Reddies made a late 5-0 run to take back the lead over the Golden Suns 23-22, but the Golden Suns would close out the first set on a 3-0 run from two kills by Simpson and Riley and an error by Henderson to take the first set.

The Golden Suns opened the second set hot taking an early 6-2 lead with a kill from Paladini and Riley, as well as two kills from Ragsdale. The Golden Suns continued to hold the lead, but the Reddies came roaring back to tie it 13-13. Tech then found a 6-0 run capped off by a kill from Paladini to make it 19-13. Ragsdale would close out the second set with a kill to give the Golden Suns a 25-20 second set victory and set up the sweep.

The third set started close between both sides, but the Golden Suns were able to edge out an early 9-6 lead thanks to two kills from Riley and Solberg. The Reddies found themselves a 5-1 run to take a 13-12 lead. Tech pulled ahead of Henderson once again off of a pair of kills from Riley and Ragsdale to give them an 18-15 lead. A kill from Bradley, Paladini and Riley would extend the Golden Sun lead to 23-19. Two attack errors by Henderson would cost them the match giving Arkansas Tech the 25-23 third set win and victory in the match.

The Golden Suns will play their semi-final match tomorrow, Friday, November 19 at 3:30 p.m. in Hot Springs against Southwestern Oklahoma State.