ADA – The East Central University volleyball team fell 0-3 (16-25, 15-25, 18-25) in non-conference action against Arkansas Fort Smith at the Kerr Activities Center.

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The Tigers (3-18) were led by junior Hayley Gerken with five kills, a .235 (5k-1e-17ta) hitting percentage, one dig and four (2-2) blocks.  Fellow junior Sarah Simpson added seven kills and 10 digs.

The first set saw the teams trade the first two serves, but a 9-0 run by the Lions (15-4) gave them a 1-9 early advantage.  UAFS didn't let up the rest of the set and despite a few small runs by ECU, earned a 16-25 win.

The second set again saw the Lions take an early lead, this time 2-5.  The Tigers cut the disadvantage to two (6-8), but another 4-0 run pushed the momentum back to the UAFS side of the net.  The Lions finished the set with a 4-0 run for the 15-25 win.

The final set was a tighter battle, with four ties and one lead change.  UAFS took the first lead 2-5, but ECU tied the set at five with a 3-0 run of their own.  However, the Lions countered with a 6-0 run to lead 5-11.  The teams traded runs until late in the set.  The Tigers were trailing 13-17 and roared back with a 4-0 run to tie the set at 17.  Unfortunately, UAFS countered with an 8-1 run to take the set and match 18-25.

Tonight's match finished a five-match home stand for ECU, who will now hit the road for the next three matches.  The road swing starts with a Tuesday, Oct. 14 match at Southern Nazarene at 7 p.m. and includes stops at Ouachita Baptist (Oct. 17) and Henderson State (Oct. 18).