Arkansas Tech Golden Suns volleyball jump-starts their season this week with the Super 8 Spikefest. The tournament will be held at Tucker Coliseum on Friday and Saturday. The Golden Suns open their season against Drury (Mo.) at 1 p.m. on Friday and will play three other opponents over the course of the tournament.
Tech looks to build on last season’s success, pushing it a step further by making the NCAA post-season tournament. Tech finished 22-13 overall, 8-4 in conference last year, but missed out on the playoffs.

Fourth-year head coach Kristy Bayer is hoping for a tourney berth this year and believes she has the team to do it.

“We have a lot of depth this year. Our starting lineup may change match-to-match. I expect these girls to compete every day,” said Bayer.

The Golden Suns are returning four seniors to this year's team. Two-time all-conference player Rachel Urquhart, one-time all-conference player Dana Florian, and three-time all-conference player Kayla Allison look to lead the Suns to the proverbial “promised land.”

Senior Rachel Urquhart and junior Alexis Gillett were voted by their teammates to captain this year’s squad. The Suns will be displaying a complex offensive strategy this year, employing an up-tempo pace with the use of good setters and hitters.

“Our style of  offense utilizes our weapons and makes us hard to scout for opposing teams,” said Bayer.

This season looks to be an exciting season for the Golden Suns, who have high expectations. Bayer said.

“We had a good season last year. We were in first during most of conference play. But I think the team has had a mentality shift and has transitioned from expecting to be in the top-half of the conference, to winning the conference championship,” Bayer said of her team.

“We want to win all of our home games. After that, our goals are to win the GSC West Division, have single-digit losses, and make the NCAA Tournament after missing last season,” Bayer added.

The Golden Suns have also made it their goal to include the fans in the upcoming season by hosting nine theme nights at Tucker Coliseum. A few of the themes include 80’s night held on Sept. 23, Pack the Stands Night on Sept. 30, and Think Pink or Pink-Out Night on Oct. 7. Pack the Stands Night will be held against Harding, a team Bayer has never beaten in her four-year tenure. Pack the Stands Night will hope to bring a fullcrowd to the coliseum in order to break the attendance record and showing support for the Golden Suns.

Think Pink Night/Pink-Out is scheduled to take place against Christian Brothers and it is to promote Breast Cancer awareness and support. Senior Night will be held Nov. 6 against Henderson State, and that match is the last regular season game for the Golden Suns.