MAGNOLIA, ARK. – The East Central University volleyball team earned a win in the opening set against Southern Arkansas, but ended up falling 1-3 (25-18, 23-25, 23-25, 20-25) in Great American Conference action.
The Tigers (3-13, 0-5 GAC) saw three players record double-digits in kills, with freshman Madison Gill leading the way with 16, a .300 (16k-43-40ta) hitting percentage, eight digs and five (2-3) blocks. Fellow freshman
Mackenzie Davis added 12 kills, a .346 (12k-3e-26ta) attack percentage and five (1-4) blocks. Junior
Hayley Gerken was the final player in double digits, with 11 kills.
In the opening serves of the first set, ECU jumped out to a 0-4 lead after three-straight attack errors by the Muleriders (4-12, 2-3 GAC). The Tigers kept the pressure up throughout the match and never let SAU garner more than two points in a row on the way to the 25-18 win.
The Muleriders came out in the second set ready to fight and took an early 4-1 advantage. However, ECU quickly tied the set at five and started a battle for control over the next 10 serves. The set was tied at 10, when SAU pushed ahead for good with a 4-1 run. The Muleriders kept the advantage in their favor and had increased it to six (17-21) when the Tigers pushed back. ECU cut the deficit to two (21-23), but were unable to get any closer and fell 23-25.
The third set was a tight battle, with seven tie scores and four lead changes. The final tie came at 23-all when ECU used a 3-0 run to force the tie. However, the Muleriders fought through to earn the next two points and the 23-25 win.
The fourth set saw SAU take an early 2-6 advantage. ECU was able to get within one (10-11) toward the middle of the set, but saw the deficit quickly push back out to eight (10-18). The Tigers kept fighting, but were unable to get closer than three (15-18) before falling 20-25.
ECU will now have a week to rest before hosting Harding and Arkansas Tech at the Kerr Activities Center next weekend. The Tigers will battle the Bisons, Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. and the Golden Suns, Saturday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m.