The Golden Suns volleyball team finished the regular season Nov. 11 by sweeping the Ouachita Baptist Tigers on senior night. The Suns took the three sets by scores of 25-23, 25-22 and 25-21.
“A win on senior night always feels good, and it was nice to rebound from the prior week and end the season undefeated at home. I’m so proud of the seniors – that was one of their goals for this year, and they did it,” Kera Dukic, head volleyball coach, said.
Now the Golden Suns are heading to Hot Springs this week to play in the GAC Championship. The team is number 3 seed and is starting the first-around of the tournament on Nov. 18 against Henderson State, who is the number 6 seed team.
The team is preparing for the tournament by practicing, resting and reviewing videos.
“We are watching lots of videos on not only our opponents but also of ourselves. This part of the season is all about the details, and if we can focus on just the small things, I know we can win it,” Dukic said.
When it comes to motivating the team, Dukic believes, “The ladies have come into practice each day ready to go and get better. They are determined to win this tournament, and I have told them it is all about confidence, discipline and giving it all we’ve got.”
The team was undefeated on its home court this season and wants to transfer that energy to Hot Springs.
“Our big focus has been on these three ideas: pace, pressure, and plays. Pace: We’ve got to set the pace offensively. We are such a great passing team that we will be unstoppable; if our setters can just use their vision and set the pace, we will be unstoppable. Pressure: We have to serve tough. We serve fabulously on our home court; now we’ve got to transfer that to Hot Springs. We need to put pressure on the other teams’ serve receive. Plays: Make plays defensively. We have the best defensive players in the conference. Now it is time to prove it,” Dukic said.
To watch live coverage of the GAC Tournament starting Nov. 18 at noon, go to www.arkansastechsports.com.
