RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech volleyball team resumed their three-match homestand inside Tucker Coliseum on Friday night against Southern Nazarene, but ultimately fell to the Crimson Storm in three sets.
Early action was close in the first set until Southern Nazarene went on a strong run to gain control of the set. Their run began with Tech leading 5-4. From there, SNU scored five of the next six points in the set to take a three-point lead, 9-6.
A service error by the Crimson Storm briefly broke their stride, but SNU was able to score the next eight points of the match to race out to a 17-7 lead. From there, the Crimson Storm were able to keep their distance and close out set one, 25-16.
Set two was controlled at the outset by SNU, but a strong push by the Golden Suns saw them tie the score at 17-all. That push began with Tech trailing 15-9.
Henley Hooks was clutch during that stretch with three of her nine kills in the match. Tech also got kills from
Jordan Clouse,
Emma Crenshaw and
Sierra Orton.
The momentum of that run ended on a service error and SNU responded with a kill on the next service to go up by two, 19-17. That would end up proving to be enough of a gap for SNU to hold off Tech and win set two, 25-21.
SNU was able to carry the momentum from the first two sets into set three and after grabbing 5-4 lead, were able to stay out in front the remainder of the set to complete the sweep.
The Golden Suns will now prepare for a quick turnaround as their next match will be against Oklahoma Baptist at home on Saturday afternoon. First-serve against the Bison is scheduled for 2 p.m.
