ADA – The East Central University volleyball team fell to New Mexico Highlands 0-3 (20-25, 27-29,18-25) in the opening match of the 2014 South Central Classic in the Kerr Activities Center.

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The Lady Tigers (0-6, 0-1 GAC) were led by junior Sarah Simpson, who tallied 11 kills and seven digs.  Sophomore Madison Seiler added eight digs and 30 assists, while freshman Lily Porsa garnered a team-best 19 digs.

The first set started with a 3-0 ECU lead before the Cowgirls (3-2) fought back to tie the set at three.  The Lady Tigers responded with a 4-1 run to regain the advantage and pushed the lead out to 11-7.  However, NMHU pushed back and used an 8-2 run to gain a 13-15 lead.  The Cowgirls kept fighting and extended the lead to as many as four (15-19) before ECU was able to get back within one (19-20).  But NMHU used a 5-1 run to finish off the set with the 20-25 win.

The second set was a battle from start to finish, with 14 ties and six lead changes.  In the beginning of the set both teams used small runs to gain advantages, but ended up forcing extra points as there were ties from 23 to 27.  The Cowgirls forced the final tie at 27-all before pushing through for a 27-29 win.

The third set started out right where the second left off, with tie scores at almost every point until an 11-all tie.  That is when NMHU took over and used a 5-2 run to gain a 13-16 lead.  The teams traded points for a few serves until a 5-0 run by the Cowgirls pushed them ahead for good on the way to an 18-25 win.

The Lady Tigers will continue hosting the South Central Classic this weekend with two matches scheduled for both Friday, Sept. 12 and Saturday, Sept. 13.  ECU will first face Central Oklahoma, Friday, Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. and then Missouri Southern State at 7 p.m.