RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech volleyball team collected a three-set sweep of visiting Southern Nazarene on Friday afternoon inside Tucker Coliseum.
Fueling the sweep was the Golden Suns' offensive attack. In the match, the Golden Suns had 18 more kills than SNU as they totaled 50 kills. Through the first two sets, the discrepancy was 35-19. Each of the first two sets, however, ended up closer than what the stat sheet might indicate as Tech won both sets 25-23.
In the first set, Tech was the first to 20 points, breaking a 19-all tie at the moment. The Golden Suns then scored two more points consecutively to go up 22-19. Southern Nazarene scored consecutive points themselves to get within a point, 22-21. The two teams then traded the next five points to bring the set to a close, 25-23 in favor of Tech.
Set two played out a lot like the first set with Tech the first to 20 points, breaking a 19-all tie. This time, the Golden Suns only built out a two-point lead, 21-19. SNU was able to score twice in a row to tie the set at 21-all. The Golden Suns then scored three of the next four points to get to set-point, 24-22. The Crimson Storm were able to stave off one set-point before a kill from
Millie Allgood closed out the set, 25-23.
The third set had Tech take control early, but SNU fought back and got as close as point of the Tech lead at the 16-15 mark. The Golden Suns then went on a run to firmly take control as they scored five-straight points to go up 21-15. SNU would momentarily stop that run with a kill, but consecutive points for the Golden Suns made it 23-16.
The Crimson Storm would not go down easily at that moment, however and got it to 24-19 before
Savannah Meyer had a kill to end the set and give Tech the three-set sweep.
A trio of Golden Suns had double-digit kills in the match with
Erika Hernandez leading the way with 12. She would not commit an error on 20 attacks for a percentage of .600. Meyer was next with 11 kills. She had just one error in 21 attack and hit .476 for the match.
Henley Hooks was the third Golden Sun in double-digit kills with 10.
Emma Kiser,
Aspen Jankowski and
Kenzie Garrett all spent time at setter. Kiser would lead the team with 20 assists followed by Jankowski and her 15 and Garrett and her six. Digs were tied at 11 between Allgood and
Samantha Wojtowicz.
The Golden Suns will now prepare for a match in less than 24 hours against Oklahoma Baptist. That match is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Prior the match, the Golden Suns will honor the three seniors on their team with a special Senior Day ceremony.
