Tweet #theGAC  HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – A dominating performance by Great American Conference Player of the Year Malia Leatherland carried top-seeded Oklahoma Baptist to a four-set win against Arkansas Tech in Thursday’s third GAC Volleyball Championship quarterfinal contest from the Bank OZK Arena.
 
Leatherland accounted for 24 of the 59 kills amassed by the Bison (26-5). She committed only two errors en route to hitting .373. The 24 kills represented her season high. She added 11 digs for her 17th double-double of the season, and her eighth in her last nine games.
 
After dropping the second set, the Bison responded with the most lopsided set of the tournament to date, 25-14. With the score tied, 5-5, the Bison scored 11 of the next 13 points. Arkansas Tech (16-14) drew no closer than five points and Oklahoma Baptist finished the set with four-straight points, including three Leatherland kills.
 
The Bison hit .296 with only 11 errors. Conversely, the Golden Suns finished with 30 errors and a .140 attack percentage. In the three sets Oklahoma Baptist won, the Bison hit .342. Rachel Ritchie contributed to the high percentage as she collected nine kills with a .400 attack percentage. Hayley Daniel, the league’s Newcomer of the Year, also finished with nine kills. She added 16 digs.
 
Rilie Vote led the Golden Suns with 13 kills. Brianna Merkel dished out 43 assists.
 
The Bison will take on Henderson State or Southern Nazarene at 6:00 pm in Friday’s second semifinal contest. The Reddies and Crimson Storm handed the Bison their two league losses. Henderson State defeated Oklahoma Baptist, on the road, in four sets while Southern Nazarene recorded a four-set home win. The Bison did notch a three-set sweep against the Crimson Storm at home.