State sports briefs

Arkansas Tech edges Harding for GAC title

Allie Anderson had 15 kills, and Hunter Eshnaur and Tabitha Spray had 13 and 12 kills, respectively, to lead undefeated Arkansas Tech University to a 25-17, 25-20, 21-25, 20-25, 15-11 victory over Harding University in the Great American Conference championship Saturday at Bank of the Ozarks Arena in Hot Springs.

In the final set, Arkansas Tech jumped ahead 2-0 before Harding scored the next three points. Harding extended its lead to 6-4 before Arkansas Tech notched three consecutive points to reclaim the lead. After the Bisons went ahead 11-9, the Golden Suns scored the final six points to earn the victory.

Amanda Milnick dished out 47 assists, and Madison Nagel turned in a 34-dig performance for the top-seeded Golden Suns (35-0).

The second-seeded Bisons (27-6) were led by Taylor Mounts, who had 17 kills. Zoe Hardin and Emma Reeves each had 10 kills. Rachel Heussner had a double-double with 48 assists and 13 digs.

UCA reaches Southland Conference title match

The University of Central Arkansas advanced to today’s Southland Conference championship game with a 25-19, 25-20, 24-26, 20-25, 15-9 victory over No. 3 seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday in Corpus Christi, Texas.

The Sugar Bears will face No. 8 seed Abilene Christian at 3:05 p.m. today for the championship. Abilene Christian became the first No. 8 seed to earn a spot at the tournament final after a 3-1 victory over No. 4 seed Houston Baptist.

The No. 2 seed Sugar Bears were up 2-0, but the Islanders fought back to send the match to a full five. UCA junior middle blocker Savanah Allen proved to be the difference-maker in the last set, knocking down four kills and ending it with a solo block.

Junior outside hitter Haley Tippett led the Sugar Bears (26-4) with 16 kills and 21 digs. Allen and junior right side hitter Samantha Anderson had 12 kills each, while sophomore outside hitter Abbie Harry recorded 11. Allen also had 16 assists.

UAFS falls in Heartland Conference title game

Junior outside hitter Channing Hawkins had 13 kills, and senior opposite hitter Tarine Grace had 10 kills, but the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith lost 25-21, 29-27, 25-23 to St. Mary’s in the Heartland Conference Tournament title match Saturday in Fort Smith.

The No. 2 seed Rattlers (18-11) earned the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II national tournament.

It was only the second conference tournament loss for the top-seeded Lions (26-6) in their seven conference tournament appearances.