RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Golden Suns' home opener set a battle with the Reddies and took the match 3-1. The set scores pushed everyone to the edge of their seats to see a thrilling game for the Suns.
Set one's first score was by the Reddies. The score toggled back-and-forth to later see Tech go on a three-point run. Henderson State answered back and went on a five-point streak to take the lead 15-11. The Suns were halted by the Reddies after that and they took set one 25-18.
The Suns were able to bring the energy for set two and went on an early three-point run. They gained a five-point streak and jumped into the lead at 12-6. The Suns led the rest of the set and created up to a seven-point gap. Henderson State was able to catch up but the Suns stopped their track and finished set two 25-18.
Set one and two contained the same attack percentage at .176; the Suns gained 15 kills, 51 attacks and six errors in set one, and 14 kills, 51 attacks and five errors in set two.
The Reddies led very early in set three, but the Suns hopped in to tie the score 3-3 and took off on a six-point run. Though Henderson State grabbed the momentum and were able to take the lead after a six-point run, as well. With the Reddies in the lead at 13-11, the score was tossed to-and-fro and allowed the Suns to catch up at 22-21. From there on, the score gap reached no larger than two-points. This high scoring set allowed the Suns to take set three 31-29.
The force brought by the Suns was carried into set four where they took an early lead at 5-3. The Reddies picked up the pace and led up to 14-9. A kill by Juliana Borchers pushed the Suns into a four-point run, and another by Erika Hernandez helped them lead 16-15. The score gap remained no larger than two-points once more. Both teams were able to gain traction where the Suns were able to lead through kills by Savannah Meyer and Henley Hooks and gave the Suns' first home opening win.
The Golden Suns were led by Henley Hooks in kills totaling 18. Dig leader was libero Karis Brinlee at 36, her season high so far. Kenzie Garrett earned a double-double with 17 digs and also leading in assists at 26.
UP NEXT: The Golden Suns head to St. Joseph, Mo. on Friday, September 11 to play in the Holiday Inn Express Griffon Volleyball Invitational hosted by Missouri Western. Their first match will be against Missouri Western at 10:30 a.m., they will play McKendree at 3:30 p.m. later that day.
