RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — Southern Nazarene dropped a hard-fought match in straight sets to Arkansas Tech on Friday evening in Russellville, as the Crimson Storm battled in each frame but came up just short against the Golden Suns.
SNU (5-12, 1-5 GAC) opened the night with energy, trading points throughout a tightly contested first set. Kills from Kate Wright and Hannah Morgan helped the Storm edge ahead 22-21, but a late 4-1 run by Arkansas Tech (8-8,4-2 GAC) swung the momentum, sealing the opener despite SNU's strong offensive rhythm.
The second set mirrored the first, with the Crimson Storm rallying from an early deficit behind a service run from Sydney Marquez and kills from Georgia Byers and Isabella Labrada to tie it at 21-21. The Storm took advantage of a few ATU errors late, but Tech capitalized on two final points to take another narrow 25-23 decision.
In the third, Southern Nazarene fought to extend the match, with Morgan and Riley Richardson trying to spark a late rally. A 7-1 run put the Golden Suns ahead 23-17, but SNU did not back down as Emma Grace Moddelmog and Morgan powered down late kills. However, Arkansas Tech capitalized on their own late momentum to close the sweep taking set three, 25-19.
Next Up
The Crimson Storm will head to Searcy to take on the Harding Bisons on Saturday, October 11 at 1:00 pm.
