BOX SCORE || HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Arkansas Tech advanced to its third consecutive Great American Conference Volleyball Championship final by sweeping East Central - 25-17, 25-18 and 25-20 - in Friday's first semifinal contest from Summit Arena.
 
The Golden Suns (24-11) hit .285 in the victory. GAC Newcomer of the Year Emily Todd turned in an all-around performance in the victory. She notched a match-high 12 kills, to go along with 14 digs and three aces. Four other Golden Suns collected at least seven kills.
 
GAC Setter of the Year Amber Cerrillos dished out 35 assists. Through the first two GAC Championships contest, she has 75 assists, good for an average of 12.5 per set. Morgan McKellar added a match-leading 23 digs.
 
Arkansas Tech used runs of 8-1 in the first set and 12-4 in the second set to jump out in front. In the final set, East Central (12-19) scored nine of 12 points late in the set in an attempt to extend the match, but the Golden Sun prevailed, 25-20.
 
One day after totaling 19 kills, the highest total from any of the quarterfinals, East Central's Danielle Essix totaled just two kills against the Golden Sun. She did lead the team with 17 kills. Noelle Cope recorded nine digs and a .296 hitting percentage.
 
Arkansas Tech will seek its second GAC Volleyball Championship title when it faces the winner of Harding-Ouachita Baptist at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The GAC Sports Network will carry the match at GACSportsNetwork.com.
 
The Golden Suns and Lady Bisons have squared off in each of the two previous title games. Each claimed victory on their home court as Tech won the inaugural title in 2011 and Harding won last year. The Golden Suns have won all four meetings with Ouachita Baptist since the two joined the GAC.