RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Behind a combined .395 hitting percentage over two matches, the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns added two non-conference wins on Tuesday. Tech defeated Central Baptist and Lyon College, both in three sets.
ARKANSAS TECH vs. CENTRAL BAPTIST - HOW IT HAPPENED:
Central Baptist (3-17) took the first point of the match but did not hold a lead for the rest of the contest.
Tech's best performance of the match came in the second set, when a kill by Sarah Rosinke sparked a 16-0 run for the Golden Suns. The run ended with consecutive kills by Amanda Milnick to end the game.
The Golden Suns (17-10) hit .500 in the second set, as Milnick led the way with six kills on six attacks. Tech also limited CBC to just one kill, totaling an attack percentage of -.200.
In the final set, Arkansas Tech's offense tallied 14 kills and just one attack error to finish hitting .619.Kaylee Konsella led all players in the set with four kills on just five attacks.
ARKANSAS TECH vs. LYON COLLEGE – HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Golden Suns opened the match with nine consecutive points, four of which coming off Hunter Eshnaur kills.
Tech finished the first set with 15 kills and a match-high .433 hitting percentage.
Lyon (14-13) took its first lead of the match with the first point of the second set, but a 10-1 run by the Golden Suns put Tech ahead by eight.
The Golden Suns later took the second game behind four kills and two total blocks by McCall Wilkins.
Eshnaur started the third set with her eighth kill of the match, and a 7-0 run later ended the match in three sets.
NOTABLES
The Golden Suns held both opponents to hit negative attack percentages, the first time back-to-back opponents have done so since 2012.
In the win over Central Baptist, Tech posted its highest hitting percentage in a match since 2014 when the Golden Suns hit .438 against CBC.
Haley Owen led all players with 10 kills in the first match, while Milnick followed with eight kills and a career-high .800 hitting percentage. Matti Dix anchored the defense with 16 digs.
In the win over Lyon, Eshnaur tallied 11 kills to lead all players, while Madison Nagel recorded 16 digs. Milnick once again led all players with 28 assists.
COACH BAYER SAYS
"We had a very high hitting efficiency in both matches, and we kept them negative in hitting. We kept our level of play intense and at a high level."
"We worked on a few different things, which is what these matches were for today. It is a good confidence builder as we head back into conference play."
NEXT UP
The Golden Suns will be on the road for their next contest, traveling to Arkadelphia on Thursday, Oct. 27. Tech will take on the Reddies of Henderson State at 6 p.m.
Tech's next home contest will be on Tuesday, Nov. 1, as the Golden Suns host Arkansas-Monticello. The "Jersey Night" match is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Tucker Coliseum.
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