RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Golden Suns came out of their game with the Muleriders now 2-0 in conference play after a thrilling game at home. Though the Muleriders forced four sets, the Suns were able to push for victory for their second home match of the season.
Set one began with an attack error by the Suns to allow the Muleriders the first point. SAU began on a 2-0 lead but was answered by a kill from Savannah Meyer. Thereafter, the Muleriders gained a lead after a couple errors by Tech. The Muleriders jumped into a 7-2 lead and later saw a four-point streak by the Suns. Tech pushed the points up to 8-7. SAU maintained the lead up until mid-set where a kill by Henley Hooks led to the Suns going on a six-point run and allowed them to lead 18-15. The score tossed to-and-fro and later saw the Suns take set one 25-23.
An attack error by the Muleriders enabled the Suns first point to then push for the Suns' 3-0 run after a kill by Meyer and service ace by Kenzie Garrett. The Muleriders responded by going on a four-point run and took the lead 4-3. The score gap was kept within a two-point range until Erika Hernandez led with a kill to push the Suns into a five-point streak and widened the gap up to six-points. The Suns led 14-8 and maintained the lead the rest of the set. Juliana Borchers had three kills in a row, a couple service aces by Garrett and a final ace by Samantha Wojtowicz - the Suns grabbed set two 25-15.
The Muleriders went in heavy through the start of set three. An attack error by the Muleriders gave the Suns their first point, but SAU went on a four-point run and broadened the score gap up to 9-1. The score went back-and-forth and the Suns slowly accumulated points to close off the gap by a four-point range. The Muleriders led by 13-9 and the score stayed in a five-point gap all the way to them leading 23-19. The final two points by Tech were from kills by Hernandez, but the Suns fell to the Muleriders 25-19.
SAU took the momentum and led set four all the way to 15-7 after a four-point streak. Right after, the Suns set the score to 15-10 followed with a five-point run and jumped the score to 17-15. Tech was able to tie at 19-19 and the teams were toe-and-toe where the scores were constantly tied all the way up to 24-24. Ultimately, two final kills by Madison Crum allowed the Suns to take set four 26-24 and win the match.
Golden Sun Henley Hooks led in kills at 11 - Juliana Borchers follows after with 10 and Erika Hernandez with 9. Kenzie Garrett gained a double-double and led with 30 assists and totaled 10 digs. Karis Brinlee led the team with 20 digs.
UP NEXT
The Suns make a quick turn around to travel to Monticello, Ark. on Friday, September 18 to play the Cotton Blossoms of Arkansas-Monticello. First serve is set at 4 p.m. and live stats will be provided. Live video coverage will be provided as well through The GAC Sports Network.
