ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita volleyball team dropped a close Great American Conference match to Arkansas Tech in four sets at home on Tuesday night.
Final set scores were 19-25, 21-25, 25-16, and 23-25. The Tigers fall to 2-2 in GAC matches, while Arkansas Tech remains unbeaten at 4-0.
The Golden Suns jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first set, and that margin proved to be too much for Ouachita to overcome despite back to within three.
The second set was much more back-and-forth with the Suns making a late run, winning six of the final eight rallies to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Ouachita controlled from first serve to final point in the third set, highlighted by a 5-0 run to take a 22-14 lead and eventually force a fourth set.
The Tigers looked to extend the match even further in the fourth, coming from behind with a 7-0 run on the serve of
Leah Gardner to take a 15-12 lead. Tech quieted the rally with a pair of 3-0 runs to shift the momentum back to the visitor's bench.
Sophie Henry had a career night with 17 kills and a .406 hitting percentage to lead the Tigers offensively.
Kailey Thedford also reached double-digits in kills with 10.
Kylie Craven added nine.
Mack Bidwell registered her third match of the season with at least 40 assists with a final total of 42 against the Suns. She added a team-high 16 digs for her sixth double-double of the season.
Kylie Kisgen also reached double-digits in digs with 13.
Head Coach
Allison Frizzell-Kizer and her team honored longtime Ouachita Director of Athletics
David Sharp prior to Tuesday night's match for his 45 years of service to the university including his time as a football coach, golf coach, instructor, and since 1999, director of athletics.
The Tigers head across the street this Thursday night to take on Henderson State at the Duke Wells Center. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m.
