BOX SCORE || HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Arkansas Tech advanced to its third-straight Great American Conference Volleyball Championships semifinal by defeating Southern Arkansas in three sets on Thursday from Summit Arena.

The Golden Suns (23-11) hit .284 and committed only 13 errors en route to the victory. Morgan Hatwig led the strong offensive effort with 11 kills and a .588 hitting percentage. GAC Newcomer of the Year Emily Todd added 10 kills and eight digs.

GAC Setter of the Year Amber Cerrillos recorded 40 assists in a three-set contest for the fourth time this season. She owns half of the three-set, 40-assist performances in the GAC this season. She also tied her own GAC Volleyball Championship record for assists in a three-set contest.

In defeat, Lauren Woods, a member of the All-GAC Second Team, totaled 24 digs for Southern Arkansas (17-15), one shy of the conference's match high for digs in a three-set contest. Logan Tolbert registered nine kills and a .500 hitting percentage.

Arkansas Tech will face East Central in Friday's first semifinal, set for 3:30 p.m. The Golden Suns scored a 3-0 victory against the Lady Tigers on Oct. 5 in Russellville, Ark. Sara Motsinger hit .450 in the victory, Morgan McKellar notched 21 digs and Cerrillos added 34 assists.

Since becoming conference foes, Arkansas Tech owns a 5-0 advantage against ECU, including a victory in the semifinals of 2011 GAC Championship. Friday's match airs live on the GAC Sports Network at GACSportsNetwork.com.