Tweet #theGAC  HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The Southern Nazarene offensive picked up its pace in the third and fourth sets to send the Crimson Storm back the semifinals of the Great American Conference Volleyball Championships following a four-set victory against fourth-seeded Henderson State on Thursday night from the Bank OZK Arena.
 
The Crimson Storm (22-10) hit .355 in the final two sets against the Reddies (21-12) and committed only six errors in the process. They made 14 errors and hit .159 in the opening two sets. The defense also tightened up as Henderson State mustered just a .079 attack percentage in sets three and four. The win improved the Crimson Storm’s record in the quarterfinal round of the GAC Championships to a league-best 5-1.
 
Three from Southern Nazarene recorded double-doubles as Meagan Ellis totaled 15 kills and 14 digs, All-GAC First Team selection Bailee Turang added 13 kills and a team-leading 25 digs. She also hit .290. GAC Setter of the Year Kylie Smith tallied 52 assists and 12 digs. Bailey Grimes posted a .529 attack percentage.
 
Smith inched closer the 4,000-assist plateau for her career. The nation’s leader in total assists this season will head into Friday’s semifinal needing 55 to become only the third player in league history to reach a milestone achieved previously by Ouachita’s Stormi Leonard and Southeastern Oklahoma State’s Alissa Benson.
 
Henderson State’s First-Team outside hitter Courtney Bolf led the Reddies with 14.5 points scored. She tallied nine kills, four aces and three total blocks. She also picked up 14 digs.
 
Southern Nazarene will take on top-seeded Oklahoma Baptist at 6:00 pm in Friday’s second semifinal contest. The Crimson Storm handed the Bison one their two league losses when they pulled out a four-set win at home on November 7. Oklahoma Baptist won at home in three sets on October 1.