ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — Following two tough losses in Oklahoma, the Reddies bounced back in a big way last Thursday with a dominant 3-0 sweep of Ouachita Baptist. Behind a balanced performance from countless contributors, HSU took down the Tigers in three sets for the first time since 2010 and surged ahead of OBU in the GAC standings.
Henderson State (16-11, 7-5) will be out for revenge for the second-straight match when the Reddies roll into Russellville to take on Arkansas Tech at 6 p.m. on Tuesday evening. HSU will also be looking for back-to-back wins at Arkansas Tech for the first time since the 2004-2005 seasons.
One of the most intriguing matchups will be the battle between Henderson's
Adrianna Hartmann and Arkansas Tech's Greer Rogers. Both seniors, Hartmann and Rogers have established themselves as two of the most feared middle blockers in the conference and are ranked second and third, respectively, in total blocks in GAC matches this season.
Arkansas Tech | (15-10, 7-5) | 5th in GAC
The first time these two teams met, the Golden Suns were cruising to a 6-1 start in conference play. The last two weeks however, have been a struggle for ATU who has now lost four of its last five GAC matches, including a 3-2 loss to Arkansas-Monticello that secured UAM's first season sweep of Arkansas Tech since 2009. The Golden Suns continue to get most of their attacking production from the trio of Allie Anderson, Rilie Vote, and Haylee Paladini, who have combined for 600 kills on the season. That trio combined for 52 of the Golden Suns' 66 kills in the first meeting of the season, a 3-2 ATU victory in Arkadelphia. Defensively, Arkansas Tech is one of the best squads in the conference, holding opponents to a 15.1% attacking percentage while ranking second in the GAC with 2.39 blocks per set.
HSU Statistical Leaders:
Senior,
Courtney Bolf – 346 Kills
Junior,
Abby Blackburn – 607 Assists
Sophomore,
MaKenzie Thoman – 514 Digs
Senior,
Adrianna Hartmann – 116 Blocks
ATU Statistical Leaders:
Senior, Allie Anderson – 271 Kills
Freshman, Brianna Merkel – 597 Assists
Sophomore, Madison Grantham – 369 Digs
Senior, Greer Rogers – 118 Blocks
Henderson State Milestone Watch
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Courtney Bolf can move up the ranks in a variety of categories over the next few matches. The senior needs 36 kills to pass Lucy Arroyo for third all-time and 24 digs to overtake Terri Shurtleff for fifth all-time. Bolf also needs just one ace to pass Karla Hart for eighth in program history and three to pass Carrie Hagan-Barber for seventh.
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Abby Blackburn is 28 assists away from becoming the ninth player in HSU history to tally 1,500 career assists.
GAC VOLLEYBALL STANDINGS
| Oklahoma Baptist * |
11-1 |
| SW Oklahoma State |
10-3 |
| NW Oklahoma State |
9-3 |
| Southern Nazarene |
8-4 |
| Arkansas Tech |
7-5 |
| Harding |
7-5 |
| Henderson State |
7-5 |
| Ouachita Baptist |
6-6 |
| Arkansas-Monticello |
5-7 |
| Southern Arkansas |
1-11 |
| East Central |
1-11 |
| SE Oklahoma State |
1-12 |
