RUSSELVILLE, Ark. – Henderson faced off against the Golden Suns of Arkansas Tech on the road tonight, defeating them 3-1.

"Very happy with our defensive effort tonight" said coach McDaniel, "We've talked about finishing strong, and our group responded to that challenge very well tonight. Proud of our team's win."

The offense was led by Katilyn Steffes tonight, who collected 20 kills on the night, while Kelis Battles followed with ten. Braxton Jones led the team tonight in assists, with 23, while Tyhia Mack followed with 19. Berkeley Berry collected two service aces tonight for the Reddies. On the defensive side, Kaylon Partain continues to lead the Reddies, as she collected 28 digs, while Steffes followed with 16. At the net, Rylee Smith matched her season-high of five blocks, while Steffes added on four.

Match Recap
The first set started off well for the Reddies as they took an early lead. Berry added a service ace, and Steffes collected a kill and block to make the score 5-2. The Suns were able to tie it and continued to keep up the pressure, while both teams exchanged points, Tech used a 3-0 run to take a 13-11 lead. Henderson responded and used a 3-0 run of their own to take the lead 17-16, with Tech taking a timeout. A kill by Savannah Coats brought the score to 21-18 for the Reddies, and Tech took their second timeout of the set. While the Golden Suns took a 21-20 lead, a 3-0 run led by two kills by Steffes gave the Reddies set point, and then eventually the set 25-21.

For the second set, it was much closer early, as both teams held the lead numerous times until a 3-0 run by the Golden Suns gave them a 11-8 lead. It continued as a back and forth affair, until another 3-0 run by the Suns pushed their lead to 18-14, and Henderson took a timeout. The Reddies attempted to rally, but a 6-0 run gave Arkansas Tech set point, and ultimately the set 25-18.

Arkansas Tech attempted to continue their momentum into the third set, but a service ace by Berry and two blocks by Smith slowed them down. The Reddies were able to use this early defense push to maintain a lead, using a 3-0 run to pull ahead 11-6. While Tech was able to respond, a 4-0 run bringing the score to 11-10, Henderson refused to give up the lead, and surged ahead as Cassidi Campbell provided a service ace and a block during a 3-0 run to maintain their lead. Tech was only able to tie it once 16-16, before the Reddies ran away with the set, ultimately capturing it 25-21.

The final set was Arkansas Tech's at the start as they used a 5-1 early lead to force a timeout by Henderson. They further pushed their lead up to 10-4 and then 12-5 before the Reddies were able to put up any sort of comeback. They then pulled ahead further to 15-7 to force the last timeout for the Reddies. The Reddies were able to rally, and using a 3-0 run, including a service ace by Mack made the score 17-12, and Arkansas Tech took their first timeout. Henderson kept up the pressure, as they utilized another 3-0 run to pull the score to 19-17. Tech was able to get the score to 22-18, before ultimately the Reddies surged. Steffes provided two kills and a block, and Battles added a kill and service ace as part of a 7-0 run to finish off the Golden Suns and win the match 25-22.

Up Next –
The Reddies face Southern Arkansas on the road November 4th at 6:00 PM in the WT Watson Athletic Center.