ADA – The East Central University volleyball team fell to Northwestern Oklahoma State, 1-3 (19-25, 25-21, 15-25, 21-25) in Great American Conference action at the Kerr Activities Center.

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The Tigers (4-22, 0-12 GAC) were led by junior Sarah Simpson who tallied 15 kills, a .234 (15k-4e-47ta) hitting percentage and 10 digs.  ECU had strong defensive play from redshirt freshman Dahyana Essix and freshman Lily Porsa as well, with both picking up 15 digs.

The Tigers and the Rangers (14-6, 7-3 GAC) traded the first three serves of the opening set before NWOSU used a 4-0 run to take a lead larger than one point.  The teams traded serves for most of the remainder of the set before the Rangers claimed a 19-25 win.

The second set was a back and forth battle of serves and runs.  NWOSU took the first lead with a 6-1 run and a 7-12 advantage.  ECU kept the match close from then on and used on a 6-0 run to take a 19-18 lead.  The Tigers extended the lead out to 22-19 and then let the Rangers cut the deficit to one (22-21).  However, ECU rallied and claimed the next three points for the 25-21 victory.

The third set started out close again with ties through four.  However, that is when the Rangers stepped up the intensity and used an 11-4 run to push their advantage out to seven (8-15).  The Tigers played the rest of the set close, but were unable to overcome the deficit and fell 15-25.

The fourth set looked like it was going to be all NWOSU, as they jumped out to a 2-6 advantage.  The Tigers kept the set close until a 4-1 run gave the Rangers a 7-14 lead.  ECU did not give up and countered with an 8-1 run of its own to tie the set at 15. 

However, the momentum returned to the Rangers as they went on a 5-0 run to push the lead back to five (15-20).  The teams traded the next four serves and the Tigers made a final push with a 3-0 run that cut the deficit to one (21-22), but NWOSU prevailed and took the set 21-25.

The Tigers will now prepare for their final GAC road match of the season, Tuesday, Oct. 28 at archrival Southeastern Oklahoma State.  The first serve is set to fly at 7 p.m. in Durant, Okla.