RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech volleyball team dropped the first set at home against Southeastern Oklahoma on Thursday night, but surged back and won the next three sets in dominant fashion to pick up the win, 3-1.
The fervent comeback effort that resulted in the win for the Golden Suns began at the end of the first set. Trailing 24-17, the Golden Suns fought off six-straight set-point opportunities by Southeastern and pulled within a point, 24-23. The Savage Storm would snap the run and scored the next point to claim the first set, but the momentum was clearly shifting to Tech.
In the second set, the Golden Suns took an early lead and made it commanding, reaching double-digits at 19-9. The lead would get as high as 12 points as Tech got to set-point, 24-12. The Savage Storm staved off set-point twice, but a service error gave the Golden Suns the win, 25-14.
Set three saw the Golden Suns have their most-efficient offensive attack as they hit .429 as a team thanks to 15 kills and three errors on 28 total attacks. Conversely, Southeastern was limited to a negative hitting percentage of -.100 with five kills and eight errors on 30 total attacks.
Tech would win that third set convincedly, 25-12.
In the fourth set, the Golden Suns broke a nine-all tie with a four-point run to seize control of the set. The Savage Strom would get as close as three points on a pair of occasions, but a 5-0 run by Tech with the score 18-15, put the score out of reach. The Golden Suns would go on to win the set, 25-17, and the match, 3-1.
Overall, the Golden Suns doubled-up Southeastern Oklahoma in kills (62-31).
Henley Hooks and
Savannah Meyer paced the team offensively as each had double-digit kills. Hooks led with 17 while Meyer was one back with 16. Hooks committed just two errors on 31 total attacks for a .484 attack percentage.
Kenzie Garrett and
Emma Kiser accounted for all but nine of Tech's assists. Garrett led with 26 while Kiser had 23.
Defensively,
Samantha Wojtowicz had a career-high 36 digs to lead the team.
Millie Allgood was also in double-digits with 18.
The Golden Suns will now prepare for a home match against East Central on Friday afternoon. First-serve is scheduled for 4 p.m.
