RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - The Arkansas Tech volleyball team will host Arkansas-Monticello on Thursday for a Great American Conference matchup. The last time the two met this season, the Cotton Blossoms edged out a 3-2 win over Tech on their home floor.
Last season, Arkansas-Monticello went 9-20 overall and had a 3-13 record against conference teams. This season, the Cotton Blossoms are 10-15 overall record with a 4-8 record against GAC opponents. Leading the offense for Arkansas-Monticello is Jasmine Welton with 226 total kills on a 2.63 kill per set average. Just behind Welton is Holiday Ellis with 194 total kills on the year, while averaging 2.23 kills per set. Pacing the offense for the Cotton Blossoms is Mia Smalls with 492 assists on the season. Kalin Duncan has also contributed as well with 302 assists. Welton leads the team in aces with 21, while Alyssa Smith follows with 20.
On defense, Stasha Adams leads with a 3.57 dig per set average on 311 total digs. Ellis has also added to the defense with 210 digs. In front of the net, Riley Krenek leads with 50 total blocks on the year, while Camryn McGough has collected 32 total blocks for the Cotton Blossoms.
Moving to the Golden Suns,
Heather Thomas leads the offensive attack with 163 total kills, on a 1.90 kills per set average. Following Thomas is
Maddi Siedenburg with 156 kills on the year while averaging 2.64 kills per set.
Brianna Merkel slots in right behind Siedenburg with 120 kills on the season and
Kaitlyn Neal has also contributed on the attack with 115 total kills on the season thus far. Pacing the offense is Merkel with 373 assists, while averaging 5.04 assists per set.
Gracie Palmer averages 2.76 assists per set and has set set up 235 total assists. In terms of service aces,
Megan Solberg leads the team with 31, while
Jamie Myrick follows with 30.
Anchoring the Golden Suns on defense is Solberg with 352 digs on the year and is averaging 4.09 digs per set. Myrick has also added plenty of help on defense with 208 total digs on a 2.45 dig per set average. Holding down the front of the net for the Golden Suns is Thomas with 13 solo blocks and 51 assisted blocks, for 64 total on the season and is averaging 0.74d blocks per set. Following behind Thomas at the front of the net is Hale with 32 total blocks, while
Sierra Orton and Merkel both have 19.
Tomorrow nights match against the Cotton Blossoms is set for a 6 p.m. first serve in Tucker Coliseum.
