RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – The Ouachtia volleyball team closed out the regular season with a 3-0 sweep over the Golden Suns of Arkansas Tech University on Thursday night for the team's fourth win in a row.
Set Scores: 25-10, 25-19, 25-23 (19-9, 10-6 GAC)
Ouachita (19-9, 10-6 GAC) opened up the regular season finale strong with a 5-0 run. After Arkansas Tech (13-17, 5-11 GAC) scored the next two points, the Tigers put together another 5-0 run to go up 10-2. A few points later and Ouachita led 15-5 and never looked back. The Tigers kept their foot on the gas and won the first set comfortably 25-10.
Tech woke up in the second set and took a small lead early on. But the Tigers were quick to respond and retake the lead. Ouachita used a 6-1 run to go up by five midway through the set. The Golden Suns had their own answer and closed the gap back down to two points. However, Ouachita ended the set on a 6-2 run to win it 25-19 and take the 2-0 match lead.
Both teams traded runs and small leads to start set number three. Ouachita used three straight points to tie the set at 7-7 and then take a 9-7 lead. The Tigers pushed that lead out to six a few points later. When it looked like Ouachita was going to run away with things, Tech scored five in a row to bring it within one point. The Tigers answered by going back up by four and then five points shortly after. Tech again wiped away the lead to bring the set within one point 23-22. Ouachita was able to hang on to its lead and get the 25-23 set victory and secure the 3-0 match sweep.
This marks the Tigers' sixth straight win and third straight sweep over Arkansas Tech dating back to 2022. Ouachita has now swept ATU in five of the last six matchups.
Leah Gardner and
Kailey Thedford tied for the match lead with 10 kills each.
Riley Braziel and
Haley Fairchild were tied for next with seven kills. Fairchild also led the team in blocks with two. Gardner finishes the regular season holding the highest hitting percentage in the GAC with a .359.
Courtney Hanson led all setters with 31 assists. Hanson recorded an ace in the win and has moved in to fifth place all-time at Ouachita in career service aces. The junior also closes out the regular season ranked second in the GAC in total assists.
Avery Jauz tied with Braziel for the team lead in digs with 14 each.
The Tigers close out the regular season on a four-game winning streak and a 19-9 overall record. Ouachita's 10-6 record in GAC play ties the Tigers with Oklahoma Baptist for fourth place in the conference. In the upcoming GAC Tournament, the Tigers will be the five seed.
The Tigers will ride their winning streak into the Great American Conference Tournament, where they will face off against fourth-seeded Oklahoma Baptist on Thursday, November 21 at the Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Times will be announced by the conference in the coming days.
