GOLDEN SUNS PICK UP THREE-UP THREE-SET WIN OVER CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ON "PINK OUT NIGHT" AT TUCKER COLISEUM

        RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – Arkansas Tech Golden Suns Volleyball remained undefeated in Gulf South Conference play here Tuesday thanks to its three-set victory over Christian Brothers (25-16, 25-18, 25-18) in front of 468 pink clad fans on “Pink Out Night” at Tucker Coliseum.

“We had a tremendous crowd once again tonight, like we have the last couple of matches,” Tech Head Coach Kristy Bayer said. “The crowds have helped provide our team with a great game atmosphere. It is a big reason that we are undefeated at home this year.”

With the win, Tech improves to 17-3 overall on the season and 4-0 in the GSC. In addition, the Golden Suns are now 10-0 on the season and have won nine of its 10 home matches in three-set sweeps.

Tuesday’s match was “Pink Out Night” in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October). The Golden Suns sported pink jerseys, which were donated by IBEW Local 647 of Arkansas Nuclear One. The jerseys were auctioned off during the match to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. In addition to auctioning off the pink jerseys, Tech’s SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) held a silent auction of Tech athletic items. The total amount raised from the pink jerseys and other auction items was approximately $2,500.

“We raised almost $2,500 and we couldn’t have done it without the help of IBEW Local 647 out at Arkansas Nuclear One. They really helped out and bought our game jerseys that our players wore,” Bayer said. “I would also like to thank all the Tech coaches for donating items for the silent auction.”

As for the match, Tech used solid offense that hit .280 and had 35 kills and its defense recorded 10 total blocks and 32 digs in the 82 minute match. In addition, Tech recorded 10 service aces, including four by freshman libero Brennae Benda (Woodstock, Ill.) and forced CBU (15-6 overall, 2-2 GSC) into six service errors.

Tech opened the match by hitting .414 in posting a 25-16 win in the first set. In the first set, Tech had 14 kills and limited CBU to an .030 hitting percentage. In the second set, Tech hit .250 in the 25-18 win and then closed the match by hitting .172 in the third set to post the 25-18 victory.

“We were pretty consistent in all phases of our game tonight,” the Tech coach said. “We played well offensively, defensively and in serve receive.”

Senior outside hitter Racheal Urquhart (Chatham, Ont.) and senior middle blocker Dana Florian (Wilmington, Ill.) led Tech’s offense with nine kills apiece, while freshman outside hitter Laura Farney (Peoria, Ill.) had seven kills, five block assists and hit a career-high .778 in the win.

“Laura Farney was very efficient tonight,” Bayer said. “In addition, I thought Racheal (Urquhart) had a very solid game and has really been coming on strong lately.”

Defensively, Urquhart and freshman defensive specialist Marcela Mascarenhas (Sao Paulo, Brazil) each had eight digs, while Benda added six digs. Sophomore middle blocker Sarah Von Lienen (Lakeland, Tenn.), this week’s GSC West Division Defensive Player of the Week, had six blocks, including five block assists and Florian had four blocks, including two solo blocks.

          Jenna Cherry and Michelle Hein led CBU with six kills, while Cherry had five block assists and Hanna Orendorff added four block assists. Orendorff and Aubrey Pancratz had five kills in the loss for the Lady Buccaneers.

 Tech will now hit the road for four consecutive matches beginning on Thursday, Oct. 9, when the Golden Suns face Arkansas-Monticello in a 2 p.m. match at the Steelman Fieldhouse on the UAM campus. The road trip continues on Saturday, Oct. 11 in Arkadelphia, Ark., against St. Leo’s [FL] in a non-conference match at Henderson State. Tech will conclude the road swing with matches next week at Henderson State and Ouachita Baptist.

 “We have a big road stretch ahead of us,” Bayer said. “Three of our four conference wins have been at home, so we really need to play tough on the road to prepare us for the stretch run.”

          Christian Brothers Box Score  

         -- Tech Athletics --