Alva Review-Courier -

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech Golden Suns clinched a spot in the Great American Conference Championships with a win on Thursday, defeating Henderson State, 3-1 (25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 25-21).

HOW IT HAPPENED

The first set featured six ties and three lead changes, but a 5-2 run to end the game gave Tech (18-10, 8-4 GAC) the three-point win. McCall Wilkins led the Golden Suns with four kills in the set, with three coming in Tech's final five points.

Tech's defense controlled the second set, limiting Henderson State (12-12, 7-5 GAC) to hit a match-low -.059 with nine attack errors.

The Golden Suns hit just .188 as a team, but five blocks in the set allowed Tech to take a 2-0 lead in the match. Kaylee Konsella had her hands on four of Tech's five blocks.

The Reddies responded with a win in the third set, after forcing Tech to commit a match-high 11 attack errors. A 6-1 run late in the game cut Tech's deficit to one point, but a timeout allowed Henderson to regroup and take the final two points to claim the set.

Both offenses hit over .200 in the fourth set, but a 10-4 run to end the match allowed the Golden Suns to escape with the victory. Wilkins and Hunter Eshnaur combined for eight of Tech's 14 kills in the game.

NOTABLES

With the win, the Golden Suns snap a three-match losing streak in conference play.

Tech finished the match hitting .153, while holding the Reddies to just .114.

Henderson's Sharon Tukuaoga led all players with 21 kills and a .486 attack percentage, but Tech limited all other Reddies to a combined 20 kills and -.047 hitting percentage.

Eshnaur finished with a team-high 13 kills to go along with eight digs.

Lauren Rodemers followed with 10 kills and a team-high .304 hitting percentage. She also led all players and tied a career-high with 8 assisted blocks.

Amanda Milnick earned her seventh double-double of the season after compiling 10 kills and a career-high 41 assists. She finished fourth on the team with seven digs, as well.

Madison Nagel and Matti Dix led the back line for the Golden Suns, recording 12 digs and 11 digs, respectively.

COACH BAYER SAYS

"It was a great win for us tonight. It is never easy to play on the road."

"Sharon Tukuaoga was amazing tonight. We struggled to stop her, but we were able to hold their offense when she was in the back row."

"I was proud of the way we stuck in the play and did not give up on balls tonight."

NEXT UP

The Golden Suns return to Tucker Coliseum on Tuesday, Nov. 1, to take on Arkansas-Monticello. The GAC match is scheduled for 6 p.m.