MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech volleyball team took to the road on Tuesday night as they resumed Great American Conference play at Southern Arkansas. After dropping the first set, the Golden Suns rallied to win the next three sets to pick up the road conference victory.
That first set was closely-contested throughout while also featuring runs and surges by both teams. With the score tied at 16-all, SAU would score consecutive points to take a two-point lead. Later, they were the first to 20 points and were up by two at that point as well.
Trailing 21-18, the Golden Suns scored three-straight points to tie the set up at 21-all. SAU, however, had a three-point surge in them as well and used it to get to set-point, 24-21. Tech was able to stave off the first set-point, but SAU closed out the set on the next service.
Early in the second set, the Muleriders scored seven-straight points to flip a two-point deficit into a five-point lead, 10-5. Later, it was 12-8 SAU, but the Golden Suns scored seven of the next eight points in the set to go back in the lead, 15-13.
The Golden Suns would hold on to their slim lead until the Muleriders swung back in front, 18-17. Tech would go on to tie score and then go up by two points, 22-20, but SAU answered back and tied it at 22-all. Moments later, SAU had set-point and were looking to go up 2-0 in the match. Tech fought off the first attempt and had to do so for a second time as well.
This time after the second save of set-point to tie the set, the Golden Suns scored consecutive points to come away with the win, 27-25.
The momentum gained from that thrilling win carried over in a big way into the third set. In that set, Tech was nearly flawless in their attack, putting down 17 kills and committing just one error in 36 attempts. On the other end, SAU was stymied to just eight kills and five errors on 32 attempts. That offensive discrepancy fueled the Golden Suns to a dominant 25-16 win.
In the fourth set, the Golden Suns continued their offensive barrage and eventually ended the set with 20 kills. With not a ton of drama to be had in the final set, the Golden Suns were able to cruise to a 25-19 win, claiming the match, 3-1.
Statistically, the Golden Suns had four players with double-digit kills and were led by
Savannah Meyer and her 20 kills. She would commit just five attack errors and hit .341 for the match. Meyer also had 11 digs to register a double-double and added three service aces, two block solos and two block assists.
Henley Hooks was next in kills with 13.
Millie Allgood and
Erika Hernandez each had 11 kills. Allgood also had a double-double with 16 digs.
Samantha Wojtowicz led the way in digs with 27.
Aspen Jankowski,
Kenzie Garrett and
Emma Kiser all saw time at setter and had double-digit assists. Jankowski led with 28 followed by Garrett and her 16 and rounded out by Kiser and her 12.
The Golden Suns will now prepare to make their long-awaited home debut in 2025. They will do so on Thursday, September 25 against Arkansas-Monticello. First-serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
