Arkansas Tech advanced to the semifinals of the 2010 Gulf South Conference Volleyball Tournament with a 25-19, 25-18, 25-11 win over the West Alabama Tigers in Pensacola, Fla., on Friday.
GSC West Division player of the year Sarah Von Lienen had 13 kills as the Golden Suns (31-4) won a postseason volleyball match for the first time since 2002.
Arkansas Tech advances to face 16-time GSC Tournament champion North Alabama (20-8) in the semifinal round at noon Saturday.
North Alabama rallied to defeat Christian Brothers 19-25, 16-25, 25-21, 25-20, 15-7 in opening-round action on Friday.
The Golden Suns avenged an opening-round loss at the 2009 GSC Tournament against West Alabama by defeating the Tigers on Friday.
Tech’s Laura Farney notched eight kills, while Ashlynn Hamrick and Sara Motsinger contributed seven kills apiece. Motsinger also had four blocks.
Golden Suns’ setter Kera Dukic (photographed) threatened a triple-double before finishing with 37 assists, 12 digs and six kills.
Thabata Galvao (15 digs) and Brennae Benda (13 digs) helped a Tech defense that held West Alabama to an .074 hitting percentage (21 kills, 14 errors, 95 attempts).
The Golden Suns hit .320 (46 kills, 14 errors, 100 attempts).
All-GSC East Division performer Thais Hollerbach had eight kills in a losing effort for West Alabama, which finished its season with an overall record of 10-21.
The winner of the Tech-UNA match at noon on Saturday will advance to the GSC Tournament championship match at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
All GSC Tournament matches are being played at the University of West Florida Field House in Pensacola.
Click here to access live statistics, live video and tournament updates.
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