Volleyball Drops Tourney Opener to ATU

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Eighth-seeded Southeastern got a match-high 21 kills from Abby Jameson and split the first two sets with top-seeded Arkansas Tech, but were unable to pull off the upset, falling 3-1 in the opening round of the Great American Conference Tournament presented by Subway on Thursday night.
 
The loss brings the Savage Storm season to an end with a 7-23 record overall and a 5-11 mark in league play.
 
ATU swiped the opening set after SE took 6-of-7 points to tie the match at 24 by ending that run and scoring the final two points of the set.
 
The Storm then made a bit of history in the GAC tourney in set two by being the first No. 8 seed to win a set over the top seed, using a pair of big runs to pull away down the stretch for a 25-18 win.
 
The Golden Suns would regain the lead with a 25-14 win in the third set thanks to a 9-2 run to end the set.
 
In the fourth set SE would take a lead midway through at 14-13 and would twice tie the score despite a run by ATU, with the last tie coming at 18-18.  The Suns would win the next five points however and the Storm was unable to mount a rally, falling 25-21 to drop the match 3-1.
 
Jameson led all players in both kills and digs, turning in a 21 kills and 16 dig effort.
 
She was joined offensively in double-digits by Arianna Baker who turned in 13 kills, while Kristina Bergman added eight and Julia Benford chipped in seven.
 
Alissa Benson dished out 42 assists on the night while also pitching in on defense with 15 digs and three blocks.
 
Besides Jameson's 16 digs the Storm had four players reach double-figures in digs as they outdug ATU by a 73-to-57 margin.
 
Benson's 15 digs were second in line, followed by 13 from Charlene Nerio and 12 from Kristi Carter.
 
SE held an 8-7 edge in blocks, led by six from Baker, while Be4nson chipped in three and Bergman and Benford had two apiece.