Box Score MONTICELLO, Ark. – Behind a trio of Golden Suns, Arkansas Tech took down Arkansas-Monticello on the road in four sets (25-22, 25-21, 21-25, 25-17).
Rilie Vote led with 13 kills, followed by
Addison Masters with 11 and
Haylee Paladini with 10.
"A win is a win," said coach
Kera Dukic. "I'm happy to have pulled out a win in a tough environment on the road. I thought we played some of the best volleyball we've played all season so that's really exciting to see. We were focused behind the line and deceptive in our offense. Time to focus on SAU!"
The teams traded points to open the game until the Golden Suns took a 12-8 lead after an ace from
Megan Solberg. After another Solberg ace, the Golden Suns went up 21-16. Arkansas-Monticello pulled within two, 21-19 before Arkansas Tech ended the set off a kill from Vote, 25-22.
Arkansas Tech went up 7-4 in the second set after an ace from
Brianna Merkel. Another quick run put the Golden Suns up 14-9 after a kill from Merkel. The Golden Suns used a 3-1 run to take a 23-17 lead after an error from the Cotton Blossoms. Arkansas Tech took the second set 25-21.
The Golden Suns opened the third set with a 6-5 lead after a kills from Paladini and Masters. Arkansas-Monticello answered with an 8-1 run to take a 16-10 lead. The Golden Suns were not able to match the Cotton Blossoms, falling in the third set, 25-
21.
Arkansas-Monticello opened the fourth set with a 5-1 run before the Golden Suns answered with 12-1 run to take a 15-8 lead with aces from
Madison Grantham and kills fomr Masters, Paladini, Vote, and
Mackenzie Eford. Arkansas Tech won four of the last six points to take the set, 25-17 and the match 3-1.
Emily Ragsdale hit a .357 clip with six kills and just one error. Paladini hit .333 for the match. Merkel notched her fifth double-double with 35 assists and 16 digs. Grantham led the defense yet again with 30 digs.
