The Golden Suns won their match against the University of Arkansas Monticello Blossoms on Sept. 14. The Golden Suns won 3-2.
Tymber Riley, of Bentonville, started the first set with a kill with the assist from Brianna Merkel, of Franklin, Wisconsin, earning the Golden Suns the first point of the game. The Golden Suns kept a lead over the Blossoms for the entire first set, winning 25-15.
The blossoms took the lead in the second set. Eventually the Golden Suns and the Blossoms fought to take the lead and hold it. The Golden Suns were able to take and hold the lead after a block from Merkel and Emily Ragsdale, of Las Vegas, Nevada, making the score 17-15. Ragsdale earned the final point of the second set with an ace serve, making the score 25-17.
The Golden Suns and Blossoms once again fought for the lead in the third set of the match. Abby Simpson, of Miramar, Florida, got a kill with the assist from Gracie Palmer, of Russellville, making the score 10-9.
The Blossoms soon caught up and took a tight lead. The Golden Suns soon regained the lead 21-20, which the Blossoms overtook. The score was close and ultimately the Blossoms won the third set 24-23.
The Blossoms started out the fourth set strong and kept the lead. The Golden Suns were not far behind them. The Golden Suns scored their last point of the set with a kill by Ragsdale with the assist from Merkel. The Blossoms won the set 25-22.
The Golden Suns and the Blossom were tied going into the fifth set, which would be played to 15. The Blossoms took an early lead over the Golden Suns. The teams continued to fight for a lead and tie the score multiple times. Riley had a kill with the assist from Madison Grantham, of Nixa, Missouri, and tied the score 7-7. The Blossoms took a one-point lead briefly until the Golden Suns tied the score.
The teams continued to trade the lead and tie for a thrilling final set. With the score tied 15-15 the Golden Suns needed a two-point lead over the Blossoms to win the match. After a kill by Kaitlynn Bradley, of Springville, Utah, with the assist from Merkel the Golden Suns gained a one-point lead. The last point of the match was made by Haylee Paladini, of Fallon, Nevada, with the assist from Merkel, the Golden Suns won the set 17-15 and the match 3-2.
Top team leaders were Ragsdale with 15 kills, Trysta Foster, of Paw Paw, Illinois, with 3 aces, Bradley with 5 blocks, Merkel with 39 assists and Grantham with 19 digs.
