ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech volleyball team battled all night long on the road at Ouachita Baptist on Tuesday night, but ultimately fell short of a victory as they fell in five sets.
The match was the definition of a back-and-forth affair as the Golden Suns and Tigers alternated set victories throughout.
The Tigers grabbed the first set, 25-20. In that set, Ouachita broke an early 3-3 stalemate and eventually held a five-point lead, 15-10. The Golden Suns would go on a 5-0 scoring burst at that point and knotted the set at 15-all. During that stretch, the Golden Suns got kills from
Kaitlyn Neal,
Lauren Grier and two from
Savannah Meyer. Tech also had a block assist from Grier and
Gracie Palmer.
Later in the set, with the score tied at 17-all, Ouachita would score six of the next seven points to seize control and lead 23-18. After Tech scored the next two points to get the score 23-20, Ouachita scored consecutive points to clinch the set.
The second set was a bounce back by the Golden Suns that saw them take control early in the set. Trailing 7-4, the Golden Suns scored five-straight points to take a 9-7 lead. With the set tied at 11-all, the Golden Suns surged ahead by five points with a 6-1 run.
Leading 18-13 in the second set, the Golden Suns had their lead flipped into a one-point deficit as Ouachita scored seven of the next eight points to take a 20-19 lead. The Golden Suns were able to weather that surge and scored four of the next five points to take a 23-21 lead. Tech eventually closed out the set, 25-23.
The third set was nearly flawless offensively for Ouachita as they had 15 kills and just one error. That highly-efficient attack helped the Tigers cruise to a 25-16 win and a 2-1 set lead.
The resiliency that the Golden Suns have displayed throughout the season came back into play in the fourth set as they were able to capture the set 26-24 and force a decisive fifth set.
In that fifth set, however, Ouachita was able to get out to an early lead that they would not relinquish despite the Golden Suns getting within a point one two occasions with the latest coming at 10-9.
Statistically, the Golden Suns had three players with double-digit kills and were led by Neal and Meyer's 15 kills.
Henley Hooks added 13 kills.
Gracie Palmer dished out 35 assists to pace the team.
Jamie Myrick had a team-high 12 digs.
The Golden Suns will now prepare for their next match, a home contest this coming Thursday against Harding. That match, which is scheduled to start at 6 p.m., is Pack the Stands Night/Youth Jersey Night.
