RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech volleyball team took on league-leading Southwestern Oklahoma at home on Friday afternoon and battled hard, but were unable to take a set as SWOSU won 3-0.
In the first set, SWOSU began to create separation after breaking a 9-all tie as they went on to score six of the next seven points in the set to build their lead out to five points, 15-10. That ended up being enough of a cushion to hold Tech off and eventually win the set, 25-19.
Set two saw the Golden Suns fall behind early and trail by as much as six points, 8-2. Soon thereafter, however, the Golden Suns found their footing and scored nine of the next 11 points to surge ahead, 11-10. SWOSU then responded with a 4-0 run to regain their lead.
Later in the set, the Bulldogs had a 17-13 lead, but the Golden Suns had one more big run in them as they scored seven of the next eight points to again swing in the lead, this time at 20-18. SWOSU pulled even at 20-all before the two teams traded points push the score to 22-21 in favor of Tech. The Bulldogs scored three-straight points from there to get to set point, 24-21. The Golden Suns were able to stave off one set point, but SWOSU eventually won 25-23.
In the third set, SWOSU flipped a two-point deficit into a four-point lead, 8-4, with a 6-0 run. They would remain in front for the rest of the set, but the Golden Suns had a late rally that pulled them within a point, 23-22. That run saw the Golden Suns score eight of 10 points after trailing by seven, 21-14.
Unfortunately, the Bulldogs were able to secure the set and the match as they traded the next three points.
The Golden Suns will now prepare to close out their three-match homestand with a non-conference match against Arkansas-Fort Smith this coming Monday night. First-serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
