HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Southern Nazarene earned a trip to the semifinals of the 2016 Great American Conference Volleyball Championships – Presented by Subway, by eliminating Henderson State, 3-0, in Thursday’s opening contest from the Bank of the Ozarks Arena. Courtney Bowie totaled 12 kills and hit .500 in the win.
| GAC Volleyball Championships – Presented by Subway: Quarterfinal #1 |
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| #6 Henderson State (13-16) |
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| #3 Southern Nazarene (18-10) |
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OFFENSIVE LEADERS:
HSU – Sharon Tukuaoga: 11 kills, 12.0 points
Kamra Jackson: five kills, three aces, 8.5 points
Haley Higgins: 18 assists, five kills
SNU – Courtney Bowie: 12 kills, .500 attack percentage, 15.0 points
Lexie Matthews: 10 kills, .276 attack percentage
Elyse Berlin: 34 assists
DEFENSIVE LEADERS:
HSU – Sydney Skelton: 19 digs
Higgins: nine digs, four blocks
SNU – Abby Bell: 26 digs, four aces
Kaitlyn Vought: 12 digs, four blocks
Bowie: six blocks
FIRST SET HIGHLIGHTS:
Southern Nazarene out-hit Henderson State .233 to .062 in taking the opening set. Leading 9-6, the Crimson Storm won six of the next seven points to take control of the set. The Reddies closed to 21-18 before the Crimson Storm won the final four points. Lexie Matthews and Courtney Bowie combined for eight kills and a .350 attack percentage. Bowie added four blocks and Abbey Bell totaled 11 digs. Sydney Skelton picked up 10 digs for Henderson State.
SECOND SET HIGHLIGHTS:
The Crimson Storm raced out to a 9-1 lead in the second set and never let the Reddies get within seven points in winning the second set. McKayla Benner delivered five kills and Bell added three service aces. SNU maintained its hitting advantage, posting a .219 attack percentage while holding Henderson State to a .094 mark. Sharon Tukuaoga tallied five kills for HSU.
THIRD SET HIGHLIGHTS:
Southern Nazarene fell behind 10-2, but stormed back to win the third set, 25-23. Trailing 18-12, the Crimson Storm won 13 of the final 15 points to secure the win. Bowie continued her stellar play by tallying five kills and hitting .556 in the set. As a team, the Crimson Storm produced its best attacking set of the match, hitting .306.
NOTABLE:
- Southern Nazarene improved to 3-0 in GAC Championship quarterfinal matches; only SNU and Arkansas Tech (5-0) have never lost in the quarterfinals
- SNU became the third program in GAC Championship history to advance to the semifinals at the three straight GAC Championships, joining Harding (2011-2014) and Arkansas Tech (2011-present)
- No. 3 seeds improve to 5-1 in the quarterfinals of the GAC Championships
- Henderson State made its first appearance at the GAC Championships and its first trip to a conference tournament since the 2010 Gulf South Championships
WHAT’S NEXT:
Southern Nazarene will face the Ouachita-Arkansas-Monticello winner at 3:30 p.m. on Friday