Alva Review-Courier -

Henderson State drew one step closer to earning a bid to its first-ever Great American Conference Volleyball Tournament as the Reddies upended Northwestern Oklahoma winning 25-21, 25-11, 20-25 and 25-22, Saturday at the Duke Wells Center in Arkadelphia, Ark.

The Reddies improved to 12-11 overall and 7-4 in the Great American Conference while the Rangers fell to 3-23 and 1-10.

Henderson compiled a stout attack percentage in the opening set hitting .367 with Sharon Tukuaoga,Haley Higgins and Jessie Jacoby had three attacks winners each to set the pace early.

The Reddies rattled off 10 straight points in set two as Northwestern would commit six attack errors and four serving miscues. Henderson would easily claim the set 25-11.

After dropping the third set, Henderson built an eight point lead before the Rangers closed the gap to 22-20 with the help of eight blocks.

However, Higgins and Tukuaoga would combine for nine kills including four down the stretch to end the match.

Henderson finished with a .252 attack percentage led by Higgins who hit .333 with 11 kills. Tukuaoga had a .242 percentage with 12 kills, while Jacoby hit .200 with 10 spikes.

Higgins completed a double-double having 24 set assists with Sariah Boney adding 18.

The Reddies will next play host to Arkansas Tech, Thursday, October 27 with first serve set for 6 p.m. at the Duke Wells Center.