RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech volleyball team made their long-awaited 2024 debut at home on Tuesday night against conference-rival Henderson State in what was also the conference-opener for both teams.
That wait was more than worth it for Golden Suns volleyball fans as they swept Henderson State in impressive fashion, 25-21, 25-16, 25-15.
Fueling the victory over the Reddies was a near flawless offensive attack by the Golden Suns. Across the three sets, the Golden Suns committed just nine attack errors and put down 43 kills on 105 total attacks for an overall attack percentage of .324 for the match.
Savannah Meyer and
Henley Hooks would total double-digit kills with Meyer having 11 and Hooks 10. Both were efficient as well, hitting .474 and .333, respectively. The Golden Suns had two other efficient hitters as
Kaitlyn Neal had eight kills and no errors and
Sierra Orton had five kills and no errors.
Emma Kiser paced the offense with 30 of the team's 42 assists.
Jamie Myrick and
Kariela Torres both had double-digit digs.
In each set, the Golden Suns registered double-digit kills and twice had 15 in a set.
While the offense was great for the Golden Suns, the Reddies struggled on that end with just 24 total kills and 17 attack errors. They would not reach double-figures in kills in any set.
Before really getting their handle on the match, the Golden Suns found themselves down 13-7 in the first set. From there, however, the Golden Suns completely flipped the script on the Reddies and scored 10 of the next 11 points to take a three-point lead, 17-14.
The Reddies would pull within a point at 19-18, but the Golden Suns did not relinquish their lead and closed out the set, 25-21.
The second set was truly never in question as the Golden Suns raced out to an early 5-1 lead and later swelled that advantage out as high as nine points before winning the set 25-16.
Set three was close early, but with the Golden Suns leading by a point, 13-12, they would score 10 of the next 11 points to put a stranglehold on the set, 23-13. Tech would go on to win the set, 25-15 to complete the three-set sweep.
The Golden Suns will now hit the road for their final non-conference weekend of action as they will take part in the Warhawk Invitational, hosted by Auburn-Montgomery. The Golden Suns will compete September 20-21 and will take on Shorter first on the 20
th. First-serve for that match is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
