ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Henderson State goes on the road this week to face Arkansas Tech on October 30th at 6:00 PM. They then head to Tennessee for a tri-match against Lane College and Central State. They face Central State at 1:00 PM and then Lane College at 3:00 PM.

Henderson State are coming off a home stand where they split their matches. They lost against Oklahoma Baptist (3-1) before defeating Southern Nazarene (3-2).

The Reddies are led offensively by Katilyn Steffes, who remains the national leader with 371 kills, while leading the GAC in kills per set (4.55). Kelis Battles ranks second on the team with 251, averaging 2.79 kills per set. Berkeley Berry leads the team in service aces with 34.

Tyhia Mack currently orchestrates the offense, as she leads the team with assists (462) and assists per set (5.31). Braxton Jones, returning from injury is contributing meaningfully at the setter position, as over the last seven matches, Jones is averaging 5.47 assists per set, with 93 assists on the season.

Kaylon Partain continues to lead the team defensively, as Partain ranks first in the nation and the GAC this season in total digs (531), while also leading the GAC in digs per set (5.97). Steffes and Berry rank behind Partain on the team, collecting 531 and 201 digs respectively.

The Reddies continue to shine at the net as they rank second in the GAC in total blocks (196.5), and blocks per set (2.20). Junior Cassidi Campbell is tied for second in the GAC and leads the team individually, with 97 total blocks and blocks per set (1.10), while Steffes ranks second in blocks (45.0), and Rylee Smith third (40.0).

Scouting Arkansas Tech (13-8, 9-2)
The Bison are coming off a 2-0 week, where they defeated Southeastern Oklahoma (3-1) and East Central (3-0).

Offensively, Tech is led by junior duo Savannah Meyer and Henley Hooks. Meyer leads the team with 228 kills and 3.17 kills per set, while Hooks has 220 kills, averaging 3.06. Emma Kiser leads a balanced offense, as three players have 200+ assists. Kiser leads with 299 assists, while Kenzie Garrett  ranks second with 258 and Aspen Jankowski ranks third with 241.

Defensively, Samantha Wojtowicz leads the Golden Suns in digs with 340, with Millie Allgood ranking second with 262 digs. Wojtowicz leads Arkansas Tech in digs per set (4.72). At the net, Erika Hernandez leads the team in blocks (52.0), and Carson Thiebaud follows with 44.0.

The Reddies lost at home to Arkansas Tech in the first GAC match of the season 3-0. When playing on the road in the Tucker Coliseum, HSU is 7-15 against the Golden Suns, holding a 36-36 record all-time.

Scouting Central State (11-9, 7-7)
The Marauders are coming off the SIAC Cluster this last week, going 2-1 overall. They defeated Miles College (3-0) and Tuskegee University (3-1) before losing to Spring Hill College (3-0).

Maya Hendricks leads the offense for Central State, leading the team in kills (226) and kills per set (3.14). Zahra Coates ranks second with 174 kills. Brooke Morris orchestrates the offense for the Marauders, as she leads the team with 353 assists, averaging 5.19 assists per set. Morris also leads the team with 42 service aces.

Defensively, Central State is led by Johanna Holston with 213 digs, while Hendricks ranks second with 155. At the net, Jasmin Churchill leads the team in blocks (51.0) and blocks per set (0.71), while Braelynn Reese ranks second with 40.0 blocks.

Henderson State has never faced Central State in Volleyball before. As this will be the first meeting of these two programs.

Scouting Lane College
The Dragons are coming off the SIAC West Cluster this last weekend, where they went 0-3. They lost to Tuskegee University (3-0), Spring Hill College (3-0) and Miles College (3-2).

Lane offensively is led by Kyra Gaston who leads the team in kills (225) and kills per set (2.27) while Jadyn Powell ranks second with 188 kills and 2.00 kills per set. Shaniah Jones orchestrates the offense, as she leads the team in assists (448) and assists per set (5.03), while Jayla Johnson ranks second with 172 assists and 1.87 assists per set.

On the defensive side, Johnsons leads the Dragons with 200 digs, while Powell ranks second with 187. At the net, Gaston ranks first on the team with 80.0 blocks, averaging 0.81 blocks per set. Wynter Hill ranks second in blocks (70.0).

The Reddies won the last time they met the Dragons, winning 3-0 at home, and currently hold a 7-game win streak. When on the road, HSU are 2-0 against Lane, and are 7-0 all time.