Golden Suns down Southeastern, remain undefeated
Arkansas Tech wasted no time proving its status as the team to beat in the Great American Conference volleyball tournament.
Ranked No. 8 in the country in the AVCA Coaches Poll, the top-seeded Golden Suns cruised to a 25-21, 25-18, 25-18 win over No. 8 seed Southeastern Oklahoma State in the first round Thursday at Bank of the Ozarks Arena.
Both teams traded points in the first set, with four ties and
one lead change before Arkansas Tech took control. Trailing 10-11 midway through the first, the Golden Suns went on an 8-0 run, eventually settling with a 25-21 win.
Madison Nagel had five digs in the first set for Arkansas Tech while Lexie Johnston led with six points.
Southeastern held an early 4-3 lead in the second set, but the Golden Suns quickly squashed any chance at an upset. Arkansas Tech led by as much as 20-12 before withstanding a late rally by the Savage Storm for a 25-18 victory.
The Golden Suns raced to a quick 5-1 lead in the third set, but the scrappy Savage Storm fought back, pulling within 7- midway through the third.
A 14-5 run gave Arkansas Tech a commanding 21-13 lead late in the set. Southeastern made things interesting, getting as close as 18-24 before the Golden Suns finished it off for a 25-18 win.
Johnston led all players in points (14.5) and kills (12), adding one solo block and three assisted blocks. Amanda Milnick had 8.5 points, five kills, four digs and a game-high 37 assists for the Golden Suns while Nagel finished with a team-high nine digs.
Southeastern’s Abby Jameson recorded a team-high 10.5 points, 10 kills and five digs. Taylor Robinson chipped in with 7.5 points and 7 kills for the Savage Storm while Arianna Baker added 9.5 points and nine kills.
Caitlin Cosby led all players with 14 digs for Southeastern and Alissa Benson finished with a team-high 34 assists and three digs.
Improving to 33-0, the Golden Suns will face Northwestern Oklahoma State or Southern Nazarene in the semifinals at 6 p.m. today. Southeastern finished the season with a record of 13-20.