MONTICELLO, Ark. – The Golden Suns traveled to Arkansas-Monticello and swept the Cotton Blossoms to finish their week of conference match ups. They are now 3-0 in GAC play.
The Cotton Blossoms' offensive errors and a kill by Henley Hooks led the way for the Golden Suns to go on a 3-0 run. The Suns maintained the lead after many attacks by Erika Hernandez, Juliana Borchers, Sammie Smith and Hooks. The Suns led 10-5 before the Cotton Blossoms gathered points to catch up. UAM was able to close off the gap at 14-10 with Tech still in the lead. The Suns racked up multiple kills and jumped to 20-10.
The Cotton Blossoms also earned a couple more kills and raised their score, but the Suns prevailed and a final kill by Savannah Meyer gave the Suns set one 25-13. The Suns' highest attack percentage for the match was in set one totaling .405 (17k-37att-2err).
Set two began with a kill by Meyer, but attack errors by both teams led to a 2-2 tie. The score tossed back-and-forth and eventually tied the teams at 9-9, once more. From there on, the Suns kept the lead. Tech went on a three-point run before UAM was able to score again. The set remained close where the Suns had their highest lead at 18-14. The Cotton Blossoms were able to keep the four-point range when the Suns led 23-19, but their attack error and Hooks' service ace allowed the Suns to take set two 25-19.
The Suns brought up the momentum into set three where they led 4-1 early on. The Cotton Blossoms were able to close the score difference at 5-4, but the Suns gained higher ground to go on a four-point then five-point run. The Suns led 14-5 but were halted with a kill by the Cotton Blossoms. Tech quickly answered back with another four-point streak and intensified the score gap to 18-6. The Cotton Blossoms were able to catch up after a couple kills and errors by the Suns to put the score at 22-14. Though the Suns' final four points were offensive errors by the Cotton Blossoms, the Suns took set three 25-14.
The Golden Suns were led in kills by Erika Hernandez totaling 11 and following is Henley Hooks at 7. Kenzie Garrett led the team with 20 assists and Kylie Lambert at 15, briefly after. Karis Brinlee led in digs totaling 17.
UP NEXT
Tech will be on the road again to play Ouachita Baptist on Tuesday, September 22 at 6 p.m. They will play at home on Friday, September 25 against Harding - first serve at 6 p.m., as well.
