ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech volleyball team took on a determined Henderson State team on the road on Thursday night and were unable to overcome a stout offensive attack by the Reddies, losing 3-1.
For the match, Henderson State totaled 61 kills and committed just 14 errors on 174 total attacks. The Golden Suns only had four more attack errors than the Reddies, but totaled 12 less kills overall. The Reddies also held advantages in services aces (+5) and blocks (+3) to help aid their effort.
In the opening set, the Golden Suns established a five-point lead relatively early at 12-7 and were able to maintain an advantage throughout a majority of the set and were the first to 20 points at 20-16. Not long after that, the Golden Suns led 22-18, but the Reddies were about to go on a late run that flipped the lead in their favor.
That run was a 6-0 run that suddenly put the Reddies up 24-22. The Golden Suns were able to stave off the first set-point, but dropped the set on the next service.
The momentum of that late run by the Reddies didn't immediately return in the second set, but the Reddies still were able to ride the wave and held a lead throughout. After trailing by as much as five points early in the set, the Golden Suns has cut the deficit down to three points at 15-12, but Henderson State had another monster run in them. This time, the Reddies closed the set on a 10-1 run.
In the third set, the Golden Suns flipped a four-point deficit, 15-11, into an 18-16 lead as they ripped off a 7-1 run. The Golden Suns would then remain in the lead the rest of the set, but had to fight off another late rally by the Reddies.
Set four was close through the first 20 points, but the Reddies started to separate at that point and broke a 10-all tie into a 15-11 lead. The Golden Suns battled back and thrice times pulled within a point of the Henderson lead, with the last time coming at 17-16, Henderson.
Unfortunately, the Reddies had another lengthy run in them that saw them go on an 8-0 run to close out the set and win the match, 3-1.
The Golden Suns were led offensively by
Kaitlyn Neal and her 14 kills followed by
Henley Hooks and her 11.
Jordan Clouse and
Savannah Meyer were one off double-digits with nine each.
Emma Kiser dished out 36 assists while four players had double-digit dig totals, including Kiser and her 11.
Jamie Myrick led in digs with 18 followed by
Madi Hartman's 16 and
Kenzie Garrett's 13.
The Golden Suns will now return home for a Monday night match against Arkansas-Monticello. First-serve for the November 8 tilt is scheduled for 6 p.m.
