Alva Review-Courier -

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - Arkansas Tech earned its ninth and tenth straight-set victory of the season on Friday, defeating St. Edward's and Christian Brothers in a combined six games. The Golden Suns extend their win streak to 13 matches with the victories.

UP NEXT

Arkansas Tech (13-0, 1-0 GAC) finishes play in the Holiday Inn Express Spikefest on Saturday, hosting Alabama-Huntsville at 11 a.m.

HOW IT HAPPENED: ARKANSAS TECH vs. ST. EDWARD'S

Tech took the first lead of the match on a block by Hunter Eshnaur and Lexie Johnston. The Golden Suns recorded four blocks in the first set, three of which involved the GAC's leader in blocks, Greer Rogers.

The Golden Suns won the first game, 25-18, behind a .342 hitting percentage, which included 17 kills and just four attack errors.

The Suns used an 11-2 run in the second set to take a 17-8 lead, before eventually winning the set, 25-13, on a 5-1 run. Tech forced St. Edward's (6-3) into a -.171 attack percentage, including just five kills and 11 attack errors.

In the final set, Arkansas Tech used runs of 9-1 and 6-1 to take the game, 25-14. Tech hit .250 in the set, while the Hilltoppers were limited to just seven kills and five errors.

The Golden Suns posted a .257 attack percentage for the match. Tech also held their opponent to a negative attack percentage for the second time this season, as St. Edward's hit -.009.

Tabitha Spray led all players with 13 kills, followed by Allie Anderson with 12. Amanda Milnick recorded a match-high 34 assists, and Madison Nagel led all players with 19 digs. Rogers had her hands on six of Arkansas Tech's 10 blocks.

HOW IT HAPPENED: ARKANSAS TECH vs. CHRISTIAN BROTHERS

Tech opened the match on a 4-0 run, but a 6-0 run by Christian Brothers (5-5) put the Lady Bucs ahead, 10-8. The Suns would score 17 of the final 23 points, however, to claim the set, 25-16.

The Golden Suns recorded a match-high 16 kills in the first set, hitting .351.

Arkansas Tech led for the entire second set after Anderson's kill put the Suns ahead, 1-0. Tech committed just one attack error in the game, hitting .522.

The Golden Suns' defense took control in the final set, holding the Lady Bucs to hit -.222 with 13 attack errors.

For the match, Tech hit .390, its seventh match of the season in which the Suns hit over .300. Johnston led the way with a team-high 10 kills and no attack errors to hit .556. Spray followed with eight kills and just one error.

Milnick compiled 30 assists, and Nagel led all players with 17 digs.

NOTABLES

Arkansas Tech continues its second-best start to a season in program history, trailing only 2008's 16-0 start.

Spray led the Suns with 21 kills combined over the two matches, followed by Anderson's 16.

The Golden Suns have won 10 of their 13 matches this season in straight sets.

COACH KRISTY BAYER SAYS

"I was a little bit concerned that with the five-set win last night we would come out a little bit fatigued, but we did a really good job of being efficient. We won 3-0 and 3-0, and we kept our opponents' points low. We just came in and took care of business."

"Tabitha Spray did a really good job. We are incorporating her more into the offense and getting her the ball. I thought Tabitha had a really good day."

"I also though Meredith Darnell was huge for us. She was huge in terms of her defense, her serve-receive, and when she went to serve we were able to go on some runs."

"Our mission this weekend was to go 4-0, so we are just hoping to finish our tournament on a positive note. We have had a great tournament so far, but we still have one more match."