ARKADELPHIA, ARK. – The East Central University volleyball team fell 0-3 (19-25, 15-25, 17-25) to Ouachita Baptist on the road in Great American Conference action.

The Tigers (3-15, 0-8 GAC) were led by senior Hayley Gerken, who hit .385 (6k-1e-13ta) and added a service ace, four digs and three block assists.  Junior Bria Gambrell also garnered six kills, while sophomore Madeline Mayer had a team-high seven.

Sophomore Lily Porsa led the team defensively with 10 digs, while freshman Michelle Baker added eight.

Set one was tight at the start, with three tie scores in the first 10 serves.  ECU was trailing 2-4 when they put together a 6-1 run to gain an 8-5 advantage.  The Tigers held on to the advantage until the middle of the set, when Ouachita (11-6, 5-3 GAC) used a 6-2 run to tie the set at 15 and continued to push ahead with another four-straight points for a 15-19 lead. 

OBU kept fighting and used another small run to own a 16-23 advantage.  The Tigers made a push of their own to cut the deficit to 19-23, but were unable to hold off Ouachita, who claimed the 19-25 win.

The second set was all OBU, as they jumped out to an early 2-7 advantage and kept the pressure up all set to earn a 15-25 win.

The third set saw ECU fight early forcing a tie at four, however that is when Ouachita started to pull away, using a 7-2 run to gain a 6-11 advantage.  OBU kept the lead through the set and increased it to as many as 10.  The Tigers held off three match-points, but eventually fell 17-25.

ECU will return to action Saturday, Oct. 17 in Arkadelphia, with a match against Henderson State at 2 p.m.