Sept. 12, 2009
Final Stats
CONWAY, Ark. - Sophomore outside hitter Natasha Kolunija recorded double-digit kills for the fourth straight game as she totaled 13 kills to lead Tech (8-4) to a straight sets victory over cross town rival ULM (2-8) Saturday afternoon in the Central Arkansas Sugar Bear Classic. Set scores were 25-22, 25-10 and 25-17.
Tech finished the Sugar Bear Classic with a 2-2 tournament record which was good enough for a third place finish.
"It was a challenging weekend for us," Tech head coach Matt Sonnichsen said, "We had to play four matches in three days which was very demanding on our student athletes. Central Arkansas, who we played in our opening match is a very good volleyball program with a tremendous home court advantage and we just weren't quite up to that challenge."
On day two of the Classic the Techsters faced Air Force (8-4) and Arkansas Pine Bluff (0-10) followed by ULM on the final day of competition.
"Air Force played well against us," Sonnichsen said. "We made a great comeback after being down two sets to one, but we just weren't able to get the final points we needed."
"I was pleased with how we were able to refocus and bounce back to beat UAPB and finishing up beating ULM," Sonnichsen.
Kolunija was inserted into the starting line up for the first time this season in this tournament and the sophomore did not disappoint as she recorded double-digit kills in every match of the tournament. Libero Lori Hunsucker led Tech for the third straight match in digs as she recorded 16 on the afternoon.
"Natasha (Kolunija) had an outstanding tournament," Sonnichsen said. "Due to sickness and injuries, a couple of our outside hitters were not able to travel. Natasha was asked to step in and she responded tremendously."
"I'd also like to compliment Jennifer Goodwin on her play this weekend," Sonnichsen said. "Jennifer played every point of every match on both the front and back rows. She had an outstanding tournament. I think our team played 15 sets over the weekend and she played every rotation which is outstanding."
Tech finished the Sugar Bear Classic with a 2-2 tournament record which was good enough for a third place finish.
The Techsters return home next weekend after an eight match road stint as they are set to host their second tournament of the season in the Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston on Sept. 18-19.
