Photo | Tennyson Douglas
On Oct. 28, the Golden Suns volleyball team swept against SAU Lady Muleriders at a home game. The Golden Suns are 8-0 at home with a 17-5 overall record and a conference record of 11-1.
“For the SAU game, we had goals; if the team made this many aces or got so many digs, I would treat them with Sonic drinks or something like that. The team is goal-focused, and I think it worked to have a reward,” Kera Dukic, head volleyball coach, said.
During the match, Dukic put in players from the B-team “We have 21 players, and if we are up, I want to give others a chance to get floor time before the conference. I love seeing the new girls play; they work just as hard as everyone else,” she said.
Sophomore setter Gracie Palmer, sophomore Emma Crenshaw and freshman Kacely Goforth were put on the floor for the B-team. Crenshaw got 4 kills during the game. “We wanted a clean game, and I think that is what we got,” Dukic said.
As a team, the Golden Suns ended up with 33 total kills, controlled the front net with 10 blocks, and had 10 aces in 3 sets.
The Golden Suns’ next two games are away on Nov. 2 against Henderson State and Nov. 4 against Harding.
“Those games are always hostile, and playing away games and in different gyms always adds pressure. There is a lot on the line, and our focus is to keep our heads, stay positive and get in and get out with a win,” Dukic said.
The Golden Suns’ goal is to win the conference outright. To reach that goal, the team must win their next two games. “The team is self-motivated and is working really hard to reach their goals,” Dukic said.
The next home game is Nov. 11 against Ouachita Baptist. To follow the Golden Suns as the season continues, go to https://arkansastechsports.com/sports/womens-volleyball.
